The Ratheram Family Of Warwickshire

ROTHERHAMS OAK



Located just outside Ilshaw Heath, near Tanworth-in-Arden, and on the banks of the Birmingham and Stratford canal. It is spelt as ROTHERHAM on this and other maps but on a land survey dating back to 1790 it clearly shows the Landowners as RATHERAM. On the first census of 1841when the family were living here the area is clearly desribed as "Ratherams". The additiona of OAK shows up in 1851


 1745  Thomas Ratheram born

1765 Married to Sarah Cotteril at Nether Whitacre Church

Thomas was a farmer and Landowner.

They had 5 children

 NAMEBIRTH
CHRISTENED
CHURCH

 
 William1768
 9 nov 1768
Tanworth
 
 
 Thomas 17708 Aug 1770
 Tanworth  
 Robert1771
19 Nov 1771
 Tanworth  
 Charles1772
 26 Jan 1773
 Tanworth  
 John 1777 26 Dec 1777
 Tanworth  

1790 According to Land survey records Thomas was a an owner occupier of land near Cheedon


TITHE APPOINTMENTS 1842  NEW 10/08/07
TANWORTH

William was recorded as Owner and Occupier (in this instance the surname is Ratharam) for the land listed below. He was joint owner with another local farmer Richard Field.

 LAND
 CULTIVATION ACRES ROODSPERCHES 
 Little Meadow
Meadow
4
 130
 Rough Meadow
Meadow
4
2
8
 The Fails
Arable6
3
28
 Stock Piece
Arable
5
2
17
 Long Close
Arable5
 20
 Lower Wintertons
Arable &Meadow
43
14
 Upper Wintertons
Arable62
26
 Further Hitchens
Arable5
2
11

    
     

    

1809   His son William marries Hannah Rudge but she must die before 1841
1821   Son William born to Wiliam and Hannah
1841   William (70) living at a place named Ratherams with his son William (20)  and brother Robert (65)
1842   son William married to a  Elizabeth Delingpole at Aston Parish church
1843   son William born to William and Elizabeth
1851   Elizabeth and William now living at Cheedon, Elizabeth is now a widow and 'employed at house'. This is now Cheedon Farm owned by Farmer Peter Robinson. There is no record of a place or farm called Ratheram. According  he cnsus h is on uninhabited dwelling entered just before Cheedon so this could be the old Ratheram Farm.
1861   Elizabeth is now a lodger in Tanworth Cottages in the village of Tanworth-in-Arden

Tanworth-in-Arden

Ratherams Oak is back on the census in 1861 and there are now 3 dwellings bearing the name. Ratheram Farm is still occupied by Peter Robinson, The second dwelling is lived in by John Payne and his family. He is a labourer on the new canal. The third dwelling is a place called High Chimmneys.




 The farm at Ratherams Oak today is not the original. It is brick built structure but   there is a plaque built into the the wall of the farm stating the year 1860. It is likely that the original farm fell into disrepair or even burnt down and Elizabeth was forced to leave.   It could be at this time that the spelling of the name as the plaque uses the spelling 'ROTHERHAM'  

      
  1861 Elizabeth's son William is now a chemist and druggist apprentice at Aspley a neighbouring village   

1865 William married Fanny Billing

1871 William and Fanny living at Warings Green. William is now a Chemist.

The family has now lost its association with Rotherams Oak as Willaim and Fanny move to Hampton-in Arden and then to Glos.