George Ormerod
Encyclopedia
George Ormerod was an English antiquary
and historian
. Amongst his writings was a major account of the history of Cheshire
, a county in northwestern England.
and educated first privately, then briefly at The King's School, Chester
before continuing his education privately again under Rev Thomas Bancroft, vicar of Bolton
. He matriculated from Brasenose College, Oxford
in 1803, graduated BA
in 1806 and received the honorary degree of MA in 1807. In 1806, when he came of age, he inherited extensive estates in Tyldesley
and south Lancashire. He married Sarah Latham, the daughter of a doctor
in Sandbach
in 1808. Following their marriage they first lived in Rawtenstall
but moved to Great Missenden
the following year. In 1810 he was the tenant at Damhouse
in Astley
. By this time he had become involved with research into the history of Cheshire and to make this task easier he bought Chorlton House
and estate, which was four miles from Chester
. He lived in this house from 1811 to 1823. When this historical work was completed he moved to Gloucestershire
, buying the Barnesville estate at Sedbury
which he renamed Sedbury Park. He lived there from 1828 until his death. While there, he was appointed as a Justice of the Peace
and he served as deputy lieutenant
for Gloucestershire in 1861. He died at Sedbury Park and was buried nearby at Tidenham
.
and from books and documents lent to him by Hugh Cholmondeley, dean
of Chester. He also borrowed material from some of the leading county families. Much of the transcription of these records was performed by Rev. J. Eaton, his research assistant, and by Faithful Thomas, the deputy keeper of the records at Chester Castle. Ormerod made tours of the county and claimed to have visited each township at least once.
Like other county histories
of the period, the work consists mainly of family history
, manorial
history and antiquarian
topography
. He deliberately excluded reference to commerce
, industry
and urbanization
. Between a quarter and a third of the work was written by Ormerod himself while the rest consists of transcripts of documents and reprints of earlier works.
A second edition of the work, revised and enlarged, was produced by Thomas Helsby and published between 1875 and 1882.
crosses in Sandbach
. He later became a founder member of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire
from 1848 and of the Chester Archaeological Society from 1849. He was also a council member of the Chetham Society from its foundation in 1843 until 1846. For this society he edited Lancashire Civil War Tracts in 1844 and some other works. Following his move to Gloucestershire
he became interested in the antiquities
and Roman
history of the local area, publishing a series of books and papers, including Strigulensia in 1861, which was about the archaeology
of the local region around Chepstow Castle
, which in the Middle Ages had been known as "Striguil
".
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
and historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
. Amongst his writings was a major account of the history of Cheshire
History of Cheshire
The history of Cheshire can be traced back to the Hoxnian Interglacial, between 38,0000 BC and 40,0000 BC. Primitive tools that date to that period have been found...
, a county in northwestern England.
Biography
George Ormerod was born in ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and educated first privately, then briefly at The King's School, Chester
The King's School, Chester
The King's School, Chester is a British coeducational independent 7-18 school situated just outside the city of Chester. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference....
before continuing his education privately again under Rev Thomas Bancroft, vicar of Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
. He matriculated from Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, originally Brazen Nose College , is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. As of 2006, it has an estimated financial endowment of £98m...
in 1803, graduated BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1806 and received the honorary degree of MA in 1807. In 1806, when he came of age, he inherited extensive estates in Tyldesley
Tyldesley
Tyldesley is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, England. It occupies an area north of Chat Moss near the foothills of the West Pennine Moors, east-southeast of Wigan and west-northwest of the city of Manchester...
and south Lancashire. He married Sarah Latham, the daughter of a doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
in Sandbach
Sandbach
Sandbach is a market town and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The civil parish contains four settlements; Sandbach itself, Elworth, Ettiley Heath and Wheelock....
in 1808. Following their marriage they first lived in Rawtenstall
Rawtenstall
Rawtenstall is a town at the centre of the Rossendale Valley, in Lancashire, England. It is the seat for the Borough of Rossendale, in which it is located. The town lies 18 miles north of Manchester, 22 miles east of the county town of Preston and 45 miles south east of Lancaster...
but moved to Great Missenden
Great Missenden
Great Missenden is a large village in the Misbourne Valley in the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, England, situated between the towns of Amersham and Wendover. It closely adjoins the villages of Little Missenden and Prestwood. The narrow High Street is bypassed by the main A413 London to...
the following year. In 1810 he was the tenant at Damhouse
Damhouse
Damhouse or Astley Hall is a Grade II* Listed building located in Tyldesley, Greater Manchester, England. It has served as a manor house, sanatorium, and, since restoration in 2000, houses offices, a clinic, nursery and tearooms.-History:...
in Astley
Astley, Greater Manchester
Astley is a settlement within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England, variously described as a suburb or a village. Astley lies on flat land to the northwest of the city of Manchester, and is crossed by the Bridgewater Canal and the A580 "East Lancashire Road"...
. By this time he had become involved with research into the history of Cheshire and to make this task easier he bought Chorlton House
Chorlton Hall, Backford
Chorlton Hall is a country house in the parish of Chorlton-by-Backford and stands to the east of the village of Backford, Cheshire, England. The house was built probably in the middle of the 18th century. The original owners were the Stanley family of Hooton. In 1811 it was bought by the...
and estate, which was four miles from Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
. He lived in this house from 1811 to 1823. When this historical work was completed he moved to Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, buying the Barnesville estate at Sedbury
Sedbury
Sedbury is a village in the Forest of Dean district of west Gloucestershire, England. It is located on the eastern bank of the River Wye, facing the Welsh town of Chepstow...
which he renamed Sedbury Park. He lived there from 1828 until his death. While there, he was appointed as a Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and he served as deputy lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
for Gloucestershire in 1861. He died at Sedbury Park and was buried nearby at Tidenham
Tidenham
Tidenham is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean of west Gloucestershire, England, adjoining the Welsh border.The parish includes the villages of Tidenham, Beachley, Boughspring, Sedbury, Tutshill and Woodcroft, and according to the United Kingdom Census 2001 had a population of 5,316...
.
History of Cheshire
The full title of the work is The history of the county palatine and city of Chester...incorporated with a republication of King's Vale Royal and Leycester's Cheshire antiquities (see "bibliography"). An extremely rare initial print in two volumes with duplicated plates was followed by a general subscription in ten parts, which formed three volumes, between 1816 and 1819. Much of his research was from documents held in Chester CastleChester Castle
Chester Castle is in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. It is sited at the southwest extremity of the area bounded by the city walls . The castle stands on an eminence overlooking the River Dee. In the castle complex are the remaining parts of the medieval castle together with the...
and from books and documents lent to him by Hugh Cholmondeley, dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of Chester. He also borrowed material from some of the leading county families. Much of the transcription of these records was performed by Rev. J. Eaton, his research assistant, and by Faithful Thomas, the deputy keeper of the records at Chester Castle. Ormerod made tours of the county and claimed to have visited each township at least once.
Like other county histories
English county histories
English county histories, in other words historical and topographical works concerned with individual ancient counties of England before their reorganisation, were produced by antiquarians from the late 16th century onwards...
of the period, the work consists mainly of family history
Family history
Family history is the systematic narrative and research of past events relating to a specific family, or specific families.- Introduction :...
, manorial
Manorialism
Manorialism, an essential element of feudal society, was the organizing principle of rural economy that originated in the villa system of the Late Roman Empire, was widely practiced in medieval western and parts of central Europe, and was slowly replaced by the advent of a money-based market...
history and antiquarian
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
topography
Topography
Topography is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those ofplanets, moons, and asteroids...
. He deliberately excluded reference to commerce
Commerce
While business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
, industry
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
and urbanization
Urbanization
Urbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....
. Between a quarter and a third of the work was written by Ormerod himself while the rest consists of transcripts of documents and reprints of earlier works.
A second edition of the work, revised and enlarged, was produced by Thomas Helsby and published between 1875 and 1882.
Career and works
In 1816 Ormerod was responsible for organising the restoration of the SaxonAnglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
crosses in Sandbach
Sandbach
Sandbach is a market town and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The civil parish contains four settlements; Sandbach itself, Elworth, Ettiley Heath and Wheelock....
. He later became a founder member of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
from 1848 and of the Chester Archaeological Society from 1849. He was also a council member of the Chetham Society from its foundation in 1843 until 1846. For this society he edited Lancashire Civil War Tracts in 1844 and some other works. Following his move to Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
he became interested in the antiquities
Artifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
and Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
history of the local area, publishing a series of books and papers, including Strigulensia in 1861, which was about the archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
of the local region around Chepstow Castle
Chepstow Castle
Chepstow Castle , located in Chepstow, Monmouthshire in Wales, on top of cliffs overlooking the River Wye, is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain...
, which in the Middle Ages had been known as "Striguil
Striguil
Striguil or Strigoil is the name which was used from the 11th century until the late 14th century, for the port and Norman castle of Chepstow, on the Welsh side of the River Wye which forms the boundary with England...
".
Family
On 2 August 1808, Ormerod married Sarah Latham, the eldest daughter of the physician, John Latham. They had seven sons and three daughters:- Thomas Johnson Ormerod (1809–1874), religious minister.
- George Wareing Ormerod (1810–1891), solicitor and geologist.
- John Arderne Ormerod (1813–1864), religious minister.
- Susan Mary Ormerod (1814–1896), died unmarried.
- Henry Mere Ormerod (1816–1898), solicitor.
- William Piers Ormerod (1818–1860), anatomist and surgeon.
- Edward Latham Ormerod (1819–1873), physician.
- Arthur Stanley Ormerod (1821–1884), religious minister.
- Georgiana Elizabeth Ormerod (1822–1896), died unmarried.
- Eleanor Anne OrmerodEleanor Anne OrmerodEleanor Anne Ormerod was an English entomologist. She was a daughter of George Ormerod, F.R.S., author of The History of Cheshire, and was born at Sedbury Park, Gloucestershire. From early childhood insects were her interest and she had great opportunities to study them in the large estate where...
(1828–1891), entomologist, died unmarried.