Hopes Rough, Bromyard, Much Cowarne, Herefordshire
Hopes Rough Hamlet - 2021 Google Earth View. Red circle marks collection of buildings matching the Rowberry historical tour.
William Hall was born in Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom and died circa 1841 Hopes Rough, Much Cowarne, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom of unspecified causes. He married Francis Wood (1795-1862) 20 May 1830 in Much Cowarne, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom.
William Hall - Herefordshire Farmer - Early convert to Mormonism with The United Brethren group and Wilford Woodruff
Vital Stats
Hopes Rough Church -
Hopes Rough Chapel and Preacher Home today
- Father: Unknown
- Mother: Unknown
- 1790 (EST) : Birth in Herefordshire, England
- 1830-May-20 : Married to Francis Wood (1795-1862) at Much Cowarne, Herefordshire, England
- 1840-May-28 : Baptism at Hopes Rough (Disputed)
- 1840 or 1841 : Died at Hopes Rough, Much Cowarne, Herefordshire, England - probably before the date of the 1841 UK Census (based on Sarah Fronk Journal Addendum)
Biography
It is difficult to trace the history of William Hall because of the commonality of both his given name and surname. Besides some scant church records of the Much Cowarne Parish, we have some strong references from some major journal keepers of his time, Wilford Woodruff and Almira Jane Reid. A common link in both of these records is Samuel Badham (1815-1868), his wife's son from her previous marriage.
Hopes Rough
Hopes Rough is a very small hamlet lying within the Much Cowarne Parish. Much Cowarne is today famed for apple orchards that produce the distinctive Cowarne Apple.
Birth
The biggest challenge for genealogists working this family tree is that both "William" and "Hall" are extremely common names for this time period in England, thus causing much confusion and a high probability for error. The purpose of this research profile is to help untangle some of this information.
There are many listings for a William Hall christening in Herefordshire England parish records between 1785-1800.
These seem to be the closest to Hopes Rough.
- William Hall - chr 22-May-1785 : Much Cowarne, Hereford - son of John and Ann Hall
- William Hall - chr 21-May-1804 : Bishops Frome, Hereford - son of Joseph and Eleanor Hall
Marriage
Recorded 20-May-1830 to Frances Badham on the Much Cowarne parish record.
Baptism of William Hall
- See Research Notes below for more info.
On May 28, 1840. Mormon missionary apostles Wilford Woodruff (1807-1898) and Willard Richards (1804-1854) visited in the home of William Hall at Hopes Rough, and spending the night there also. They were apparently already familiar with the Mormon Doctrine and ready for baptism which happened the same day. Baptized that day were several members of the Hall Family and their neighbors, the Rowberry Family. But it has been disputed if this William Hall was their, or that of another William Hall.
Death of William Hall
Death Date : Between 25-Feb-1837 and June 1841. (See below for "Research Notes" and article extracts) There is a major conflict between the journal of Wilford Woodruff, who records a family visit and their subsequent baptism (along with their neighbors the Rowberry's) in May 1840. But Almira Jane records a story of William having died about two years earlier. (See story below). Since Almira Jane is a secondhand report, I suspect that her dates might be faulty. The argument against this, is why does Wilford's journal match up William Hall with Elizabeth Hall and make no mention of his wife Francis?
- William was obviously still alive on 25 Feb 1837 because that is when his daughter Hannah was baptized. He is listed on the parish register as her father, and they would not have done that if he was not there. If he was dead, it would have said Hannah was the daughter of Frances Hall, widow. When they did list a parent who was dead, the record would have said "dec'd" for deceased.
- William was deceased by June 1841 - where he is missing from the official British 1841 census for his household.
- Probably occured in early 1841 for the story of his stepson, Samuel Badham (1815-1868) as recorded in the journal of Almira Jane Reid (1840-1912) that he was out washing his sheep in the river when it was very cold and he got cold which led to his demise. (See journal record below).
Children of William Hall and Francis Wood
An older brother Henry, born about 1827 at Hopes Rough, died 28 Sep 1857 at West Bromwich, Staffordshire A younger brother, James, born about 1834 at Hopes Rough, and died 18 Mar 1909 at Wednesbury Staffordshire. A younger sister Hannah, born at Hopes Rough 25 Feb 1837. She married John BREEZE and died 10 Apr 1915 also at West Bromwich.
James was in the military and stated that he was 'in the Queen's Guard' - whatever that means. He was pensioned some time before 1876 when he married Sarah SAUNDERS.
Note: some records list also a John Hall, but this is an error, per Jane Almira's journal.
- Henry Hall (1830-1852) - m. Eliza Rowberry (no references?)
- William Wood Hall (1832-1891) - immigrated to America in 1854 and m. Jane Almire Reid
- James Hall (1836-1909) - m. Sally Saunders in 1876 - served in the Queen's Guard and pensioned prior to 1876.
- Hannah Hall (1836-1903) - m. John Breeze
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Henry Hall (1830-1852) | April 1830 Hopes Rough, Much Cowarne, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom | 28 September 1857 West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom | |
| William Wood Hall (1832-1891) | 23 May 1832 Hopes Rough, Much Cowarne, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom | 23 December 1891 Snowville, Box Elder County, Utah, United States | Almira Jane Reid (1840-1912) Sophronia Priscilla Reid (1842-1870) |
| James Hall (1836-1909) | 1836 Hopes Rough, Much Cowarne, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom | 17 March 1909 Wednexbury, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom | Sarah Saunders (1839-) |
| Hannah Hall (1836-1903) | 25 February 1837 Hopes Rough, Much Cowarne, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom | 1903 Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom | John Breeze (1830-1903) |
Siblings
Vital Records
Much Cowarne Parish Records
Much Cowarne Baptismal Entry dated 25 Feby, 1837, of Hannah Hall, showing her parents residence at Hopes Rough.
- Much Cowarne Parish Record -a partial abstract by Steve Karner
- Of particular note is the baptismal record for baby Hannah Hall (1836-1903), dated 25-Feb-1837, showing her parents, William and Frances, residing at Hopes Rough, a tiny hamlet in the far eastern corner of the Much Cowarne Parish.
- COWARNE, MUCH (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Bromyard, hundred of Broxash, county of Hereford, 5 miles (S. S. W.) from Bromyard. The church, having been almost totally destroyed in January, 1840, through the steeple being struck by lightning, has been rebuilt: in the chancel, which was the only part of the church saved, are the figure of a knight-errant, and a monument containing a recumbent effigy of a lady of the name of Reede, with four small figures kneeling by her side, over which is a curious Latin inscription.
- Much Cowarne is an Ancient Parish; the church of St Mary dates from the 13th century and has been designated as a grade I listed building by English Heritage British listed building.
- Much Cowarne Herefordshire genealogy - FamilySearch.org
- St Mary the Virgin Church in Much Cowarne - HerefordshirePast.co.uk
Journal Entry of Wilford Woodruff
From the Journal of Wilford Woodruff #5534.
Baptism log of Wilford Woodruff.
WilfordWoodruffPapers.org: Wilford Woodruff (1807-1898) was an early missionary and apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who recorded his activities during his famous missionary tour of the Herefordshire Old Potteries area in the spring of 1840. Wilford Woodruff preached here baptizing approximately 600 converts from a group called the United Brethren. Thomas Wood (William's Brother in law) appears to be one of these non-conformists running a small Methodist chapel at Hopes Rough Cottage in the early 1800's.
Elder Woodruff notates visits with several members of the Wood, Bishop, Rowberry and Badham families and an overnight stay with William Hall in late May 1840. These families were all neighbors, friends and/or family relations living in this immediate area and time. His companion was another famous Missionary and Apostle, Elder Willard Richards (1804-1854).
May 28, 1840 - I Baptized 4 at Cricks Green who were confirmed by Elder Richards we then walked to Hope Rough & preached at William Hall I baptized 5 after meeting & Elder Richards Confirmed them making 9 Baptized & 10 Confirmed[. W]e spent the night at Hope Rough{. W]e visited the greatest curiousity of evergreen that has yet been discovered in Europe or America or any part of the world that has ever come to our knowledge it is upon the farm called (Hopton in the Hole) in the parish of Much Cowen (Cowarne) Herefordshire England, owned by Richard Gardner this evergreen was in a circular form inclosing about one acre composed of the Yew tree growing over or standing in the midst of a hedge or border of Boxbush the Yew Trees were about in the form & highth of a high & well built hay or wheat stack. the trees were considered to be several hundred years of age this evergreen was surrounded by a canal of water.
Baptized, May 28, at Creeks Green: Eliza Gurney, Elizabeth Davis, Hannah Even, Ann Sanders Baptized, May 28, at Hope Rough: Jane George, Elizabeth Hall, Mary Robery, Elizabeth Robery, William Hall.
Who were the other people baptized at Hope's Rough:
- Mary Wood Rowberry (1805-1886) (younger sister to William's wife, Francis),
- Elizabeth Rowbery - Mary's oldest daughter, Elizabeth Rowberry. This was part of a large Rowberry family that lived at Hopes Rough, next to Francis Wood and her family. None of this Rowberry family immigrated to America, but they are probably cousins to the John Rowberry (1823-1884) nearby in Bishops Frome, baptized a month later who would later become the first Mormon bishop in Tooele Utah.
- Jane George - who is she? Daughter of William George, born in 1831 in Much Cowarne.
Almira Jane's journal says that William died two years previously. Would that mean that the William Hall baptized here is young 8-year-old William Wood Hall? Then why would Wilford Woodruff refer to him as if he was the head of the household and owner of the house? But then Almira's granddaughter amends the record to say William was eight when his father died. This brings the story back in line with Wilford's journal.
- Who is Elizabeth Hall? - She does not show up any family records. She shows on both the 1841 and 1861 UK Census, (born 1791), living in Bromyard, Bishops Frome, Much Cowarne, Herefordshire.
- Is this Elizabeth mother, sister or cousin to this William Hall?
- Is this Elizabeth a wife to different William Hall being baptized here.
- Where is Francis Hall? - Wife of William Hall - A number of citizens from Hopes Rough (including close relatives of Francis from the Rowberry, Badham, Wood, Bishop and Hall family) joined the Mormon church, but Wilford's journal has no record of her.
Research Notes: William Hall 1840
- William Hall baptized on 28 May 1840 at Hopes Rough.
Arguments Supporting:
- Hopes Rough is a very tiny, out-of-the way hamlet. No other people of the same name would come here.
- Strongest argument is that Elder Woodruff visited the home of William Hall in Hopes Rough. Hopes Rough is a tiny hamlet of two homes. He would refer to the name of the head of household here. Any other William Hall would have to be living somewhere else.
- Possible that Elizabeth Hall is his mother, sister or cousin. No evidence of this yet.
- Sophronia's record that William died in his son's eighth year (1840-41). Unfortunately, this is like third-hand info.
Arguments Against:
- Samuel Badham story that William died during his son's sixth year (1838-39). But did Samuel remember his dates wrong. Did Almira Jane record the story wrong?
- William Hall is a very common name.
- "Elizabeth Hall" baptized the same date. Who is this? Wife of a different William than ours instead of his mother. No info on this Elizabeth yet.
- Believing him not baptized, his son did a proxy baptism in the LDS Logan Temple. (Looking for record of date and place.)
- Per note from Sharron Grover: "The William Hall mentioned is most likely a different William Hall than the one to whom this source is attached. The 2nd William Hall lived at an address called Clog Gate which is about 1/3 of a mile south of the buildings identified as Hope's Rough farm. There is a stream of water that runs near the foot path that connects these two places. The area referred to as Hope's Rough appears to include both of these locations as well as some other cottages that are past the farm to the north and east. Clog Gate no longer appears on modern maps of the area." I am trying to locate this other William Hall and see what family connection there might be.
Journal Entry of Almira Jane Reid
Almira Jane Reid - daughter-in-law to William Hall by marriage to his son that traveled to America. In 1859 she recorded a visit with Samuel Badham, living in the Iowa countryside, and son of Francis Wood from her first marriage.
(1859 - Iowa) ...We stated at Fathers house about six or seven weeks, then we went to where William's half brother lived down on the Nishnabotany river on what was known as Farm Creek. Father went along with us for to drive the 2 cows and 2 calves for us. This was on the 18th of November. We got to Williams brother house (his brother's name was Samuel Badham, he was William's Mother's first son by her first husband, John Badham and William was the second son by her second husband, William Hall) William's Mother's first husband died and left her with 3 children: Samuel, Ann and Mary. Thomas died when his Father died. He was the youngest of the four children then. 3 years after John Badham died, whe became acquainted with William Hall and married him. She then had Henry Hall and William W. Hall and James Hall and Hannah Hall. When Hannah was a baby, her second husband died. He caught cold from washing sheep in May. He was sick about 3 weeks (so Samuel Badham told me). He died in June, 1838 when William W. was six years old. She never married again. I have give an explanation how my husband was related to his half brother, as I said, we came to his brothers house. We was kindly received. We had supper and our stock was cared for. Then the subject of religion was brought up. Samuel Badham and his family was all joined to a branch of the Mormons called the Cutlerites. They held old Alphus Cutler as the leader...
Journal Addendum by Sarah Phillips Fronk
Sarah wrote concluding remarks to the journal of Almira Jane Reid to describe how she passed away. She also relates how William's son (William Wood Hall) had cut his eye when Sarah was very young. Then she gives a different age for William when his father died - it is the last sentence in the entire record. Also, Grandpa (William Wood Hall) only had one eye, he was cutting down hop vines from around the house. In place of cutting down, he cut up and the knife went in his eye and the sight run out. I was too little to remember which eye. Grandpa (William Wood Hall) was only eight years old when his father died.
Parish Records of Much Cowarne
Parish Records - It appears that William and his family had some affiliate with the United Brethren who had left the Church of England. Their beliefs led them to shun the church and participating in the ritual ceremonies therein. However, the church parish records still have some entries for William's marriage and the birth of his children and their marriages and children.
Family of John and Ann Hall
Parish records for Much Cowarne hold several entries for John and Ann Hall - are these the parents of William Hall?
- 13-Sep-1793 - birth of Edward Hall
- 30-Oct-1823 - burial of John Hall at Clog's Gate
Rowbury Family : Neighbors
A very important clue in the study of William Hall is to meet his next door neighbors at Hopes Rough -- the family of John Rowberry (1790-1844), several of whom also joined the LDS Church and at least one son, John Rowberry (1823-1884) who immigrated to Utah and become the first bishop of the LDS Ward in Tooele, Utah.
- Rowberry.org - Family History research of Polly Rowberry on their family home in Hopes Rough.
- Tracing the Footsteps of Wilford Woodruff to Hopes Rough - Details about the apostle's visit to the William Hall home in May 28, 1840.
ClogGate 1841 Census
1841 UK Census for ClogGate.
Per note from Sharron Grover: "The William Hall mentioned is most likely a different William Hall than the one to whom this source is attached. The 2nd William Hall lived at an address called Clog Gate which is about 1/3 of a mile south of the buildings identified as Hope's Rough farm. There is a stream of water that runs near the foot path that connects these two places. The area referred to as Hope's Rough appears to include both of these locations as well as some other cottages that are past the farm to the north and east. Clog Gate no longer appears on modern maps of the area." I am trying to locate this other William Hall and see what family connection there might be.
Early Map of Hopes Rough
Plot Map of Hopes Rough in Much Cowarne
- Hopes Rough Methodist Chapel - Herefordshire Historical Landmarks.
- Hopes Rough Landmarks - Herefordshire Through Time.
See Also
- William Hall - Disambiguation
- Hall in Herefordshire