The Rossiter Research Registry Home Page
"prudens ut serpens, simplex ut columba"
Click here for Newsletter No.2
Click Here For Irish Family Mottos
Newsletter No 1
1st June 1997
Cead mile failte. A hundred thousand welcomes.
Welcome to the Rossiter Research Registry, (RRR), the one and only Rossiter one name club on the "net." The RRR has been formed to bring together fellow researchers who are researching the name Rossiter so information can be shared in the hope that we can all help each other to find out more about our relatives and ancestors.
The founding Honorary Chairman is Peter Rossiter of Ballina, New South Wales, Australia and the Honorary Secretary is Merv Rossiter, of Gold Coast, Queensland.
Peter Rossiter was born in Norfolk Island in 1933. (Norfolk Island is about halfway between Australia and New Zealand). He had a career with the Australian Army and served in Vietnam before retiring to Ballina on the northern coast of New South Wales, Australia. His great grandfather, Thomas Rossiter, was the first government appointed school teacher to Norfolk Island a position he held from 1859 to 1884. His job was to teach the newly arrived Pitcairn Islanders. He was born at Croscombe, Wells, Somerset, England. Hardie Rossiter, son of Thomas, married Annie Robinson, daughter of Issac Robinson and Hannah Quintal, so Peter is a 4x great grandson of Matthew Quintal, William McCoy, Edward Young, and John Adams, all muniteers on the "Bounty" in 1789.
At the moment, Peter is engaged in extracting the Rossiter names from St.Catherine's House birth, marriage and death indexes. He is also researching the Rossiter name in Somerset with the hope of finding out more about his ancestors.
Merv Rossiter was born in Auckland , New Zealand, in 1939. He is a retired civil engineer, and came to Gold Coast in 1987. His interests are beach walking, playing bridge, gardening, and genealogy. His great great grandfather was Peter Pillar Rossiter who came from Paignton, Devon, to Christchurch, New Zealand in 1850. A brother, Edward, went to Christchurch in 1854 while another brother, Samuel, went to Moonta in South Australia in the same year. A cousin Edward went to Adelaide, Australia, in 1855. At the moment Merv is engaged in researching Rossiter families world wide and putting his findings into print so that they may be of some help to fellow researchers . He has written three volumes of ;
"The Rossiter Papers - A Collection of Notes on Some Rossiter Families".
Membership
Membership is free to anyone interested in the Rossiter name. Please send your email and full postal address, (snail mail address), together with your family history details. The more you send the more we may be able to help you. You may be asked to provide additional information to assist fellow researchers. Members will be eligible to receive zip and gedcom files.
Newsletters
The Rossiter Research Registery Home Page will be the official newsletter. It will be published on or about the first day in June, September, December, and March each year. Researchers without email facilities may receive a photocopy by snail mail for a small annual fee.
Research
If you would like help with your research please send full details. If we cannot help you, your query will be published in the following newsletter and maybe a fellow researcher will provide the answer.
Help
Information is required on the following. If you can assist please email merv@winshop.com.au
"Rossiter Arms" hotel and Rossiter Street, Bath, England. Pub history wanted. Also details of the family the pub and street were named after.
Bartholomew Rossiter married Elizabeth Waldron c1820 probably Kilcullen, County Kildare. They had five children., Mary Ann b.1821 Kilcullen., Elizabeth b.1823 Kilcullen., then Catherine, Gertrude Georgiana, and John. The family emigrated to Sydney, Australia in 1840. Details of the family in Ireland required.
John Rossiter married Jane Hending c1829 Doulting, Somerset, England. Details of marriage and parents required.
John Rossiter, coffee merchant of London, married Sarah (Ann) Robinson c1834. Details of marriage and parents required.
Communications
All communications shall be with and through the Honorary Secretary, Mervyn J Rossiter, 44 Vatakoula Parade, Mermaid Waters, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 4218
or email - merv@winshop.com.au
We would like to hear from you. Tell us what you want to see in this home page.
Irish Family Mottos
The motto for the Rossiter family of County Wexford is :-
"prudens ut serpens, simplex ut columba"
"wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove"
Compare this motto with what is written in the Bible., Matthew X, verse 16
"Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves :
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
If your family motto is not on the list in this newsletter please send details and it will be included in the following one. Now that I have looked at all the mottos, I think I will change my name by deed poll to Lennon. Check it out.
Bits and Pieces
Did you hear the joke about the Irishman who died of seafood poisoning ?. The epitaph on his tombstone read -
"Oysters Killpatrick"
"That's a good one. Write it down." so says Hal Roach. (Irish Comedian)
"Irish genealogists never die. They just lose their census"
Publications
Three volumes of "The Rossiter Papers - A Collection of Notes on Some Rossiter Families" have been published and more are to be released soon. The cost of each volume is A$35.00., and US$30.00., NZ$40.00 and UK20 Pounds which includes airmail postage. Nett profits will be used for further Rossiter research activities e.g. purchasing certificates and other documents. If you have written your own family history we would like to purchase a copy, or, you may prefer to swap with one of our publications.
Book One - Table of Contents
The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname "Rossiter"
The Rosseters of County Wexford
The Paignton Devon England Rossiter Family of Lyttleton Christchurch New Zealand
The Doulting Somerset England Rossiter Family of Norfolk Island
The Croscombe Wells Somerset England Rossiter Family of Norfolk Island
Leonard Rossiter (1926-1984) Television Stage and Film Actor and Author
Thomas P Rossiter (1818-1871) Painter U.S.A.
Phillip Rossiter (c1568-1623) English Musician
Book Two - Table of Contents
The Eling Hampshire England Rossiter Family of Carlton Victoria Australia
Colonel Sir Edward Rosseter of Somerby by Bigby Lincolnshire England - Soldier Knight
Parliamentarian 1618-1669
Clinton Lawrence Rossiter 3rd, 1917-1970 University Professor Author Historian Political Scientist
United States of America
Lawrence Fowler Rossiter of Pasadena California U.S.A. Investment Banker
The Camerton Somerset England Rossiter Family of Ipswich Queensland Australia
Book Three - Table of Contents
Rossiter Murex - Chicoreus Rossiteri
Captain Rossiter of the "Mississippi" - The English Captain of the French Whaler
The London England Rossiter Family of South Gippsland Victoria Australia
The Combe St.Nicholas Somerset England Rossiter Family of Dorchester Massachusetts U.S.A.
The Combe St.Nicholas Somerset England Rossiter Family of Aslackby Lincolnshire England
Rossiter Place Names in Australia
The Rossiter Soldiers of the A.I.F.-Australian Imperial forces 1914-1918
Our Rossiter Family History
In The Beginning
The first Rossiter we know of was Lambert de Rosei who lived in Rosei de Roseto in Dieppe, Bellencombe, on the north west coast of France. In 1066 he sailed with William the Conqueror and fought in the Battle of Hastings. For his services he was made a Baron and granted land at West Rudham in Norfolk, England. He held Castle Acre as an under tenant to the Earl of Warwick. From here, and over the years, the Rossiter family migrated. Some went to Lincolnshire, some to Ireland, and some to Somersetshire.
The British Museum have a manuscript of a Visitation to Lincolnshire in 1190 which shows a Rossitur of Somerby. Did this anglo-norman family fight against Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest?.
Before the Visitation, however, was the invasion of Ireland in 1169 by Strongbow under the auspices of King Henry the Second of England. Lambert's great grandsons, Ralf and Wakelin (John) Rossiter were among the 2000 mercenaries recruited from around the southern part of Wales. For his services, Wakelin was knighted Sir John Rossiter and was granted the Baronies of Forth and Bargy. The Barony of Forth had an area of 2000 acres of arable land and contained the sea port of Wexford.
The Rossiter (Rosseter) families then proceeded to build a series of castles to protect their land. Rathmacknee was the mother castle while other strongholds were Bargy, Slevoy, Tomhaggard, Tacumshane,Ballygarvan and Newcastle, (Kilmannon). However they were deprived of their estates by Oliver Cromwell in 1650.
One of the most prominent Rosseters in Irish history would have to be Colonel Thomas Rosseter who fought against Cromwell at Wexford. By a coincidence, Colonel Sir Edward Rosseter of Lincolnshire fought alongside Cromwell at the Battle of Naseby in 1645, but that is another story.
It has always been thought that the Rosseter's of Wexford came from Aslackby in Lincolnshire as they share the same Coat of Arms. However, in 1972 the College of Arms in London found a Rossiter family in Combe St.Nicholas in Somerset, England with the same Coat of Arms. George Rossiter of Combe St.Nicholas migrated to Aslackby in or about 1540 and took the Coat of Arms with him. So did the Rosseters of Wexford come from Aslackby or Combe St.Nicholas.
Click here to return to the start of Newsletter No.1
Or Click here to see my Irish Family Mottos
Newsletter No.2
01 September 1997
The Rosseter's of Somerset
"securior quo paratior - the better prepared the more secure"
In the Herald's Visitation to Lincolnshire in 1634 the Pedigree of Richard Rosseter of Coome, County Somerset and Lincolnshire shows his Coat of Arms as :
Argent on a chevron Gules three pheons OR
no crest recorded
Riestap's "amorial General" lists these Arms for Wroxeter/Raucester/Rosseter in Normandy at an early date.
AN ACHIEVEMENT OF ARMS is the accepted form adopted by the College of Arms in London for the display of a coat-of-arms, and is composed of the Crest, Wreath, Helmet, Shield, Mantle, Motto and name of the Armiger (bearer of arms) in a display depicted somewhat as if the shield and helmet were hung on a hook or peg on the wall of the Great Hall of the castle or manor and, with the Mantle (cloak) hung over these items. In this way the visitor to the castle would know who was present by the Arms hanging in the hall.
EXPLANATION OF HERALDIC DESCRIPTION OF THE COAT OF ARMS
CREST : (topmost figure) represents the figure or symbol which was attached to the top of the knight's Helmet - an additional identification. For several hundred years the Crest figure was not inherited and the warrior used any figure that pleased his fancy, and sometimes used as a Crest the distinguishing emblem of the Baron he followed. However, many of the older Armigers never adopted a Crest figure so their Arms are complete without one.
ROSSETER Crest : none recorded for these Arms
WREATH : This was a scarf used by the knight to anchor the Crest figure to the Helmet. In Heraldy it is depicted as two skeins of silk twisted into a plait of six, alternating the metal and color shown on the shield. The Wreath rests on top of the Helmet as a base for the Crest figure.
ROSSETER Wreath : A twist of silver and black. When no Crest figure is shown, the Wreath is omitted in the display of the Arms.
HELMET : The helmet is not shown in this depiction of the Arms since the Shield is encased in an ornate framework, usually hung on the wall to display the Arms when not in use.
SHIELD : This is the heart of the Arms. what is painted on the shield IS the Coat-of-Arms. All other embellishments are for beauty in the display of a Coat-of-Arms. The shape of the Shield is optional with the artist depicting the Arms. The one shown in this drawing (above) is a typical European shield.
ROSSETER Shield : Argent on a chevron Gules three pheons OR
Argent, the first word of the Heraldic description of the Arms, indicates the Shield is painted silver and contains a chevron, an inverted "v" shaped figure extending across the shield, coloured Gules (red), on which are three pheons coloured OR (gold).
Note : The pheon is an ancient barbed arrow-head. The point is shown in base (erect) unless otherwise specified in description of the Arms.
MANTLE : The mantle is the decorative matter around the shield and helmet and has no particular shape. It may be quite plain or very elaborate. In this drawing of the Arms the shield is encased in a gold framework, as explained earlier.
MOTTO : "securior quo paratior - the better prepared the more secure". It is not known when this motto was adopted. Mottoes are not considered exclusive. Several families or clans may use the same motto. Many were originally a battle-cry. They were in Latin or old French and expressed an ideal, a goal, or an admonition. The use of mottoes for the display of a coat-of-arms did not come into general use until the XIV century. Many whose Arms ante-date the use of mottoes display none. the motto is placed on a ribbon or scroll just below the shield.
The above Coat-Of-Arms and notes were supplied by Ouida W.Nelson 944 Audubon Place, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA, 71105.
Rossiter's of Somerset
In Somerset, England, one of the first recorded Rossiter families is that of Richard Rossiter, born 1461, son of William and Joan ROSSITER (Rouchestre). Richard was the first proved land owner at Combe St.Nicholas which is about three kilometres northwest of Chard. In 1524 he was called "Gentleman" and he owned four messuages and 543 acres of land. He married Elizabeth PEYRE about 1490 and they had three children, Joan Phillip and George.
Joan married William HARTGILL of Kilmington, Somerset. George married Ann WILLIAMS and took with him his Coat-of Arms to Aslackby in Lincolnshire. Phillip married twice. His second wife was Katherine LYTE of North Curry in somerset and they had four children, Phillip, John, Elizabeth, and Hugh. Phillip became the noted musician to the court of James 1st and one of England's finest song writers.
The name of Phillip's first wife is not known. They had three sons; William, Richard and Nicholas. Nicholas was the father of Edward and grandfather of Dr.Brian (Bray) ROSSITER who in 1630 went to Massachusetts U.S.A. on the Mary and John.
Some noted descendants are :
General David Rossiter (1735-1811) soldier, US War of Independence
Thomas Pritchard Rossiter (1818-1871) famous American painter.
Lawrence Fowler Rossiter (1895-19..) soldier and banker USA
Clinton Lawrence Rossiter 3rd (1917-1970) political scientist
Doctor Brian (Bray) ROSSETER - Line of Descent
William ROSSETER b.c1428 Somerset England; m. Joan........
their son
Richard ROSSETER 1461-1529; m. Elizabeth PERYE
their son
Phillip ROSSETER 1505-1583; m. spouse unknown
their son
Nicholas ROSSETER 1536-1608; m. Eliza ........
their son
Edward ROSSETER 1575-1630; m. Elizabeth COMBE
their son
Dr Brian (Bray) ROSSETER 1610-1672; m. Elizabeth ALSOP
General David Rosseter - Line of Descent
Dr.Brian (Bray) ROSSETER 1610-1672; m. Elizabeth ALSOP
their son
Joshia ROSSITER 1646-1716; m. Sarah SHERMAN
their son
Theophilus ROSSITER m. Abigail PEARSON
their son
David Rossiter 1735-1770; m. Eunice BRISTOL
Thomas Pritchard ROSSITER - Line of Descent
Dr.Brian (Bray) ROSSETER 1610-1672; m. Elizabeth ALSOP
their son
Joshiah ROSSITER 1646-1716; m. Sarah SHERMAN
their son
Nathaniel ROSSITER 1689-1769; m. Anna STONE
their son
Nathaniel ROSSITER 1762-1834; m. Sarah PYNCHON
their son
Henry Caldwell ROSSITER 1790-1871; m. Charlotte BEERS
their son
Thomas Pritchard ROSSITER 1818-1871; m. Shrick PARMELEE
Lawrence Fowler ROSSITER - Line of Descent
Dr.Bryan (Bray) ROSSETER 1610-1672; m. Elizabeth ALSOP
their son
Joshia ROSSITER 1646-1716; m. Sarah SHERMAN
their son
Nathaniel ROSSITER 1689-1769; m. Anna STONE
their son
Nathan ROSSITER 1730-1813; m. Sarah BALDWIN
their son
Nathan ROSSITER 1756-1829; m. Hannah TUTTLE
their son
Timothy Tuttle ROSSITER 1785-1810; m. Cynthia POWERS
their son
Lucius Tuttle ROSSITER 1809- 1879; m. Mary WICKES
their son
Edward van Wyck ROSSITER 1844-1910; m. Estelle HEWLETT
their son
Edward Lawrence ROSSITER 1870-1934; m. Ella FOWLER
their son
Lawrence Fowler ROSSITER 1895-19..; m. Gladys Corlett ARMSTRONG
Clinton Lawrence ROSSITER 3rd - Line of Descent
Dr Brian (Bray) ROSSETER 1610-1672; m. Elizabeth ALSOP
their son
Joshia ROSSITER 1646-1716; m. Sarah SHERMAN
their son
Nathaniel ROSSITER 1689-1769; m. Anna STONE
their son
Nathan ROSSITER 1730-1813; m. Sarah BALDWIN
their son
Timothy Tuttle ROSSITER 1785-1810; m. Cynthia POWER
their son
Lucius Tuttle ROSSITER 1809-1879; m. Mary WICKS
their son
Arthur Clinton ROSSITER 1857-19--; m. Jessie Louise GOODRICH
their son
Clinton Goodrich ROSSITER 18--to 19--; m. Dorothy SHAW
their son
Clinton Lawrence ROSSITER 3rd 1917-1970; m. Mary Ellen CRANE
Book Reviews
"The Lowest Form of Wit"
by Leonard Rossiter with 30 cartoon drawings by Honeysett
Hardcover; 220x150, (9x6); 154 pages; no library registration number.
Published in 1981 by Bookclub Associates London.
Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Leonard Rossiter also describes it as the sour cream of wit. He has put together a book of witty writings, caustic comments, ringing retorts, ribbing repartee, and insulting invective that he had collected during the thirty years he was on the theatre stage. Whatever Leonard did, he did meticulously and this book is no exception. It is a compendium of who said what and when in the cut and thrust of putting someone in their place. "There are no Queensbury rules in the use of sarcasm, just go in for the kill," Leonard wrote.
In this book Leonard writes about the art and history of sarcasm, noted wits, (His Hall of Sarcastic Fame), the rules of sarcasm, (or lack of them), people who have had flashes of brilliance in making sarcastic comments, and what some people have sarcastically said on their death bed.
No review would be complete without quoting from Leonard's book some of his sarcastic writings.
Hostess. "Do you have to go so early?"
Actor Leonard Rossiter. "No, it's purely a matter of choice."
"Winstone Churchill spent the best years of his life
working on his impromtu replies" (F.E.Smith)
"Any picture in which Errol Flynn is the best actor
is its own worst enemy" (Ernest Hemingway)
"Some of my plays Peter out,
some Pan out." (J.M.Barrie)
"Oscar Wilde was not a man of bad character,
you could trust him with a woman anywhere"
(William Wilde, Oscar's brother)
Oscar Levant speaking of the actress Doris Day said
"I knew her before she was a virgin"
When Groucho Marx was asked of his opinion of sex he said,
"I think it is here to stay"
When Dorothy Parker was asked how a friend had
broken her leg while visiting London she commented
"Probably sliding down a Barrister"
This is the only book that I know of that Leonard Rossiter wrote. It is a memorial to his brilliance and his witticism. I once knew a women who preferred men to liquor. I prefer a good book and "The Lowest Form of Wit" is no exception.
Merv Rossiter
August 1997
P.S. "Be good and you will be lonely". (Mark Twain)
"Leonard Rossiter"
by Robert Tanich
soft cover., 280x220 (11x9)., 160 pages
Published in Great Britain by Robert Roger 1985
ISBN-0-947728-19-8
On the back cover is written -:
"A tribute to a brilliant comedian and character actor. This book is both a record and a tribute to Leonard Rossiter's carrer in theatre, television and film., it has more than 150 photographs, a full chronology and over a hundred contributions from colleagues and films."
This is indeed a wonderful book on the life and works of Leonard Rossiter. He will be remembered most likely for his performances in the T.V. series Rising Damp and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin yet he featured in about 144 stage theatre productions, 70 TV plays, 24 films, 10 Cinzano commercials and 8 radio plays over a thirty year period. In other words he did a new show every six weeks for 30 years and in between he played squash.
My criticism of this book is that it is a bit short on biographical material before Leonard began his stage career., it does not mention the date or circumstances of his death, and it does not mention the book that Leonard wrote, "The Lowest Form of Wit".
However, it is a valuable record of a very famous Rossiter person.
Merv Rossiter
August 1997
P.S. Leonard Rossiter was born 21 October 1926 in Liverpool and died 5 October 1984 in his dressing room at the Lyric Theatre in London.
"Rosseter, Rossiter, Rossitter and Related Families"
Compiled and edited by Juanita (Jay) Watters and Ouida (Watters) Nelson.
First published by the authors in 1984, revised 1993 and 1995
The 1995 edition consists of 260 pages, 280x210 (11x8), with soft cover.
Ouida and Jay are twin sisters born 1915. They have devoted about 40 years to researching their Rossiter ancestors in Somerset England and in the U.S.A. and this wonderful book is a result of their study. What is more wonderful is they are working on the next revision. They say it keeps them young.
The book outlines the Rossiter family in Combe St.Nicholas in Somerset from the 1400's to 1630 when they embark to Massachusetts on the Mary and John. It then traces all the families that have descended from the first Rossiter immigrants.
A marvellous reference book for this Rossiter family.
It is available from the authors who are also the publishers at 944 Audubon Place, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71105.
Merv Rossiter
August 1997
"Of all the large class of idiotic capitalists
the Britisher shows the least symptom of intelligence."
Rossiter RAYMOND
Editor
Engineering and Mining Journal (Arizona)
23 July 1881
From "Mining Camps and Ghost Towns"
by Frank Love
John Joseph Rossiter, born Wexford, published a book of poems in 1873. Information required about the poet and the book
James Hurley Rossiter - Royal Regiment of Artillery - commissioned 11 Feb 1868 (aged 21 years and six months)., Lieutenant 4 Jan 1871., Captain 15 March 1881., Major 29 October 1886., Lt Colonel 4 December 1896. Information required about his family tree and military career.
"The Rossiter Papers - A Collection of Notes on Some Rossiter Families -
Book Four" is now available.
Table of Contents
James George Rossiter of Ware Barton, Bishopsteignton, Devon, England and Billa Billa and McIntyre's Brook and Glenelg Stations, Darling Downs, Queensland Australia.
The Middlezoy, Somerset, England Rossiter Family of Eaglehawk, Victoria, Australia and Howard Queensland, Australia.
Father John Rosseter of Saint Augustine - Catholic Priest of Wexford Ireland and Philadelphia U.S.A.
The Sturmshire, Newton, Dorset, England Rossiter Family of Twillingate and Ramea, Newfounland, Canada.
If you would like to visit Australia go to
If you would like to visit New Zealand go to
Sixty Irish family mottos have been added to the list since June 1st 1997
Recently I received this one for the McCarthy family.
McCarthy ......forti et fideli nil difficile.........over forty, fidelity not difficult.
More Irish family mottos will be added soon
"Memoirs of the Irish Rebellion of 1798" by Sir Richard Musgrave - published by Round Tower Books, USA and Duffy Press of Wexford.
Captain Ignatius Rossiter of Saunders Court was arrested as a rebel by his cousin John Rossiter of Graigue and faced trial on 20th February 1800. The book does not say what happened to Ignatius.
Bicentennial celebrations to be held in 1998 at Wexford.
"Two Irish Priests decided to set up a fish and chip shop. One was the Friar, the other, the chipmonk."
"Patrick went to the local council rubbish dump and when he reached the gate Michael said to him, "What have you got on the back of your truck, Patrick?
Patrick said, "It's a rary"
Michael said, "What did you say?"
Patrick said, "It's a rary"
Michael, a bit dumbfounded said, "Well, you better drive up to the top of the hill and drop it over the side."
Patrick said, "That's a long way to tip a rary."
"May you all be in heaven for at least thirty minutes before the devil finds out that you are dead."
Merv Rossiter
merv@winshop.com.au
http://www.winshop.com.au/merv/
Researching the Rossiter family name world wide.
RICHARD ROSSITER of Somerby in Lincolnshire was granted the Arms shown above by the College of Arms, London, on 6 June 1592 by Robert Cooke, Clarenceau Herald of Arms.
Argent on a bend Sable three chaplets of the field.
Crest : a leopard passant OR.
AN ACHIEVEMENT OF ARMS is the accepted form adopted by the College of Arms in London for the display of a Coat-of-Arms, and is composed of the Crest, Wreath, Helmet, Shield, Mantle, Motto and name of the Armiger (bearer of Arms) in a display depicted somewhat as if the shield and helmet were hung on a hook or peg on the wall of the Great Hall of the castle or manor and, with the Mantle (cloak) hung over these items. In this way the visitor to the castle would know who was present by the Arms hanging in the hall.
EXPLANATION OF HERALDIC DESCRIPTION OF THE COAT-OF-ARMS
CREST : (topmost figure) represents the figure or symbol which was attached to the top of the Knight's helmet - an additional identification. For several hundred years the Crest figure was not inherited and the warrior used any figure that pleased his fancy, and sometimes used as a Crest the distinguishing emblem of the Baron he followed. However, many of the older Armigers never adopted a Crest figure so their Arms are complete without one.
Rossiter Crest : a leopard passant OR
This means that the leopard is in walking position, and is coloured OR (gold)
WREATH : This was a scarf used by the knight to anchor the Crest figure to the helmet.In Heraldry it is depicted as two skeins of silk twisted into a plait of six, alternating the metal and the colour shown on the shield. The Wreath rests on top of the Helmet, as a base for the Crest figure.
ROSSITER Wreath : a twist of silver and black (argent and sable)
SHIELD : This is the heart of the Arms. What is painted on the shield IS the Coat-of-Arms. All other embelishments are for beauty in the displaying of the Arms . the shape of the shield is optional with the artist depicting the Arms. the one shown in this drawing is a variation of the old "heater" shield, so called for its resemblance to the old flat-iron used in the laundry.
ROSSITER Shield : argent on a bend Sable three chaplets of the field.
Argent, first word of the description of the Arms,indicates the shield is coloured Argent (silver). On the silver shield is a bend coloured Sable (black) on which are three chaplets of the field. A bend is a band which extends diagonally across the shield from upper left to lower right, and in this case, coloured Sable (black). On the black bend are three chaplets coloured "of the field" which means the smae colour as the shield. In heraldry the shield is called the "field" on which the emblems and figures of the shield are depicted. Therefore, the chaplets are coloured silver like the shield.
Note : Chaplet is an ancient emblem used on a coat-of-arms. It is a garland or wreath of oak, laurel, or other leaves or flowers.
MANTLE : this is the decorative matter around the shield and helmet and has no particular shape. It may be quite plain or very elaborate. A stylized acanthus leaf is often used in depicting the Mantle. The only heraldic rule is that it should be of the metal and colour shown on the shield.
ROSSITER Mantle : a leafy effect of Argent and Sable,
black leaf with silver undersides.
MOTTO. Mottoes are not considered exclusive. Several families or clans may use the same motto.Many were originally a battle-cry. they were in Latin or old French and expressed an ideal, a goal, or an admonition. The use of Mottoes for the display of a Coat-of-Arms did not come into general use until approximately the XIV century. Many whose Arms ante-date the use of Arms display none. The Motto is placed on a ribbon or scroll just below the shield.
ROSSITER Motto : None recorded for this Rossiter Arms
The above Coat-of-Arms and notes were supplied by Ouida W.Nelson, 944 Audubon Place, Shreveport, Louisiana USA 71105
The Rossiter's of Lincolnshire
The British Museum have a manuscript of a Visitation to Lincolnshire in 1190 which shows a Rossitur of Somerby. So how did this Rossiter family come to be in Lincolnshire.? We know that a Rossiter family came with William the Conqueror to England in 1066. History also tells us that William the Conqueror commenced building a castle in Lincoln in 1068. So did the Rossitur family follow William the Conqueror to Lincoln ?.
For centuries Lincoln was a major Roman city, one of only four colonia in Britain. They provided grants of land for legionnaires who survived their 25 years of military service and gave the city its name. The Vikings had a mint at Lincoln and this is what probably attracted William the Conqueror.
In 1072, one of William's supporters, Remegius, a dwarf cleric, began building what was to become one of Englands most striking and awesome cathedrals. It was the world's tallest building until 1885 when it was superceded by the Washington Monument.
The Archbishops of Lincoln wielded influence as a result of vast wealth which poured into their coffers from the vast reach of north and south west England where they held both spiritual and temporal sway. After Henry VIII broke the power of the church during the reformation Lincoln continued to prosper from the fertile farms and from the wool trade.
In the 16th century, Rossiter families of Lincoln were prominent in Skegness, Minting and Somerby as well as Aslackby. George Rossiter of Coombe St.Nicholas in Somerset migrated to Aslackby about 1540.
Colonel Sir Edward Rosseter of Somerby by Bigby in Lincolnshire
Edward ROSSETER was born in Somerby by Bigby, Lincolnshire on the 1st January 1617/18, the second son of Richard ROSSETER and Elizabeth BOUCHIER. He succeded to the Estate upon the death of his elder brother Richard on the 7th February 1636.
On the 25th June 1646 he married Jane SAMWELL daughter of Sir Richard SAMWELL and Mary VERNEY of Upton Hall, Gayton, Northhampton, at All Saints Church, Northampton. Edward had two daughters by her, Mary and Elizabeth. Sometime before 1659 his wife, Mary, died.
On the 18th January 1659/60 Edward married Arrabella HOLLES, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Clare, John and Elizabeth HOLLES nee VERE. According to his Will dated 15 August 1688 and proved 27th February 1688/89, Edward had four sons and one daughter by Arabella., John, Edward, Horatio, Richard and Vere.
In 1642 the English Civil Wars began. Edward, a staunch presbyterian, chose to fight for the Parliamentarians against the Royalists and the catholic King Charles 1st and in 1643 was indicted at Grantham by the Royalists for high treason. He was saved by the Battle of Marston Moor which was won by the Parliamentarians who now controlled the whole of the north of England.
In 1644 Edward was appointed by the Parliamentarians, Major in charge of the Lincolnshire Horse Regiment. On 25 February 1645 he was defeated by Sir Marmaduke LANGDALE at Melton Mowbray and escaped unharmed.
Edward was appopinted Colonel in the New Model Army by Sir Thomas FAIRFAX on the 21st January 1645 which was confirmed by Parliament 18 March 1645. He commanded a Lincolnshire Regiment (8th horse) and fought in the "Battle of Naseby" alongside CROMWELL. This time he defeated Sir Marmaduke LANGDALE. ROSSETER'S 8th Horse was included in the New Model Army almost as an afterthought. He was commanding the Regiment in Lincolnshire in 1644. The House of Commons had originally specified 10 regiments of horse for the New Model Army and then, presumably finding the army short in numbers of its agreed establishment, resolved, "That a regiment of horse consisting of 600 more than what was brought in by the New Model, shall be raised and be within this establishment and be under the command of Colonel ROSSETER." At the same time its existing function was not to be disturbed, for it was" "for special service appointed to remain in Lincolnshire and posts adjacent."
After the Battle of Naseby, Colonel ROSSETER returned to Newark where he remained until 1647, fighting in the seige of Newark from 6 March to 8 May 1646.
He was dismissed by the Army in 1647 for supporting the Parliamentarians in their dispute with the Army. He was soon reinstated and was victorious at Willoughby Field in July 1648.
In 1654 Colonel ROSSETER was Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire.
Colonel Edward ROSSETER was knighted by King Charles II at Canterbury 27 May 1660. Later, he was entrusted by the Lords and Commons with the safe custody not only of the King's correspondence but of the King himself.
On 22 November 1660 Colonel Sir Edward ROSSETER'S regiment was disbanded, the Colonel taking a seat in the Convention Parliament.
On 27 February 1668/69 Colonel Sir Edward ROSSETER died and was succeeded by his eldest son John.
Postscript. The spelling of the surname is as per the Will of Colonel Sir Edward ROSSETER.
"The Rossiter Papers-A Collection of Notes on Some Rossiter Families-Book Two"
"The Rossiter Papers - A Collection of Notes on Some Rossiter Families -
Book Five" is now available.
The Paignton Devon England Rossiter Family of Moonta South Australia Australia
Rossiter Names in the Boyd's Marriage Index
William Rossiter of Earsdon Northumberland, 1748-1837, A Native of Devon
Rossiter Names in the somerset Electoal Register 1832
The Rossiter Family of Richmond Massachusetts USA and the "Lulu Carver"
Peter Walshe, the only "Irish born man livng in Croscombe Somerset" has supplied his family motto.
Walshe - noli irritare leonem - Don't mess with lions
The Irish System of Family Naming
Eldest son...........................................after father's father
Second son..........................................after father
Third son.............................................after mother's father
Eldest daughter...................................after mother's mother
Second daughter..................................after mother
Third daughter.....................................after father's mother
Anglo Irish System of Family Naming
Eldest son...........................................after father
Second son.........................................after father's father
Third son.............................................after mother's father
(second name often after mother's maiden name)
Women kept their maiden name
The bicentennial celebrations commence on 1st January 1998 and continue for the whole of that year. The feature event will be "Vinegar Hill Day" which will be on 21st June 1998 and will consist of celebrations and a parade in Enniscorthy. The National 1798 Visitors Centre in Enniscorthy will be open for twelve months as will the Exhibition in the National Library in Dublin.
Published accounts of genealogical significance are as follows -:
"Memoirs of the Various Rebellions in Ireland" (Dublin 1801) by Sir Richard Musgrave
"History of the Insurrection of the County of Wexford" (Dublin 1803) by Henry Hay
There is a typescript surname index to this book in the library of the Irish Genealogical Research Society in London
"A Personal Narrative of 1798" (Dublin 1832) by Thomas Cloney
"Memoirs" (Paris 1863) by Miles Byrne
"History of the Rebellion in Ireland in the Year 1798" (Dublin 1801) by James Gordon
"A Narrative of the Sufferings and Escape of Charles Jackson" (London 1798)
by Charles Jackson
"History of the Irish Rebellion of 1798" (Dublin 1832) by Charles Teeling
"History of the Rise, Progress, Cruelties and Suppression of the Rebellion in the County of Wexford" (Dublin 1798) by George Taylor
"Carlow in 1798" (Dublin 1949) by William Farrell
"Memoirs" (London 1838) by Joseph Holt. (deals mostly with County Wicklow)
"Analecta Hibernia" XI 1941. A narrative dealing with the Mayo campaign written by Louis Jobit a Captain in Humbert's army. A second article on the same subject was written by a local Protestant clergyman, Rev Little.
"Narrative of What Passed at Killaha During the French Invasion of 1798" (Dublin 1800)
(also good on County Mayo)
"The Personnel of the Dublin Society of United Irishmen 1791-1794" published in Irish Historical Studies II (1941), pp12-53 (includes biographies)
Published manuscript records are as follows -:
"A manuscript in the National Library and Trinity College Dublin", by Luke Cullen, a Carmelite monk who collected oral testimonies from surviving rebels in the 1840's
"The Rebellion Papers" (the 602 series) in the State Paper Office in Bishop Street (subsection of the National Archives). This an accumulation of material for the period 1792 to 1803 and contains intelligence reports, letters from magistrates and Army officers, correspondence to and from Dublin Castle, spies reports, court martials, petitions of prisoners and records of transportations.
"Transportation From Ireland to Sydney 1791-1816" (Canberra 1954) by T.Kiernan
Published Parliamentary sources are as follows -:
"Commission to Enquire into the Loss of Property by Loyalists in 1798"
Available at the National Library. It was printed as an appendix to the Irish House of commons Journal in 1800
Published Miscellaneous records are as follows -:
"Catholics and Catholicism in the 18th Century Press" (Dublin 1969) by J Brady
contains Catholic declarations of loyalty.
"A list of subscribers to the funds for the relief of widows and orphans of yeoman and soldiers who fell in the suppressing of the late rebellion." (Dublin 1800)
"Records of the Yeomanry"
"Folklore Collection" Irish Folklore Commission University College Dublin
"Wexford, History and Society" (Dublin 1987) by K.Whelan
see pp248-295 for United Irishman organisation, membership, leadership.
"Memorials to the Dead" by Brian Cantwell (Counties Wicklow and Wexford)
"Computerised Index of Belfast Newsletter" by Institute of Irish Studies
"Peoples Rising" by Daniel McGahan
"The Mighty Wave : The 1798 Rebellion in Wexford" by Daire Keogh and Nicholas Furlong
To read about the Battle of Vinegar Hill go to -:
The Best Irish Restaurant in the World
Darcy Arms
2923 Gold Coast Highway (cnr Frederick Street)
Surfers Paradise
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Queensland
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The Best Irish Club in the World
Mount Isa Irish Club
Queensland
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If you find mistakes in this webpage, kindly remember that they are there for a purpose. I publish something for everyone, and some people are always looking for mistakes.
Wishing you all a Merry Xmas and a Prosperous 1998
Merv Rossiter
merv@winshop.com.au
http://www.winshop.com.au/merv/
Researching the Rossiter family name world wide
The Rossiter Family of Paignton, County Devon, England
It is thought that the Rossiter's of Paignton in County Devon came from Wexford in Ireland in about 1740.
The Rossiters who went to Wexford in 1169 took with them the Arms as shown in Newsletter No.2. At a later date a crocodile was added to the Shield. This also now happens to be the Coat of Arms for the Rossiter's of Paignton which signifies that the Rossiter's of Paignton came from Wexford.. Later on, The Rossiter's of Wexford dropped the charges and only the crocodile was retained as shown in Newsletter No.1.
So what is the significance of the crocodile? It is thought that the Tribe of Dan went from the Holy Land to Egypt before going to Ireland. Also it is known that over the years Irish monks have visited Egypt and Egyptian monks have visited Ireland. (Seven Egyptian monks were buried in Ulster.) In Egypt the crocodile was regarded as a sacred animal and some were trained to eat "non christians". So the appearance of a crocodile on the Coat of Arms could mean that the Rossiter's of County Wexford were the protectors of christians. Is that why so many Rossiters became Roman Catholic priests?
And why the double headed eagle as shown in the Coat of Arms? The eagle is shown on one of the four principle banners of Judah representing the Tribe of Dan. (refer the Holy Royal Arch of Freemasonry). Does the double headed eagle mean the Tribe of Dan in both Jerusalem and Ireland?
And let us have another look at the Rossiter motto.
"prudens ut serpens, simplex ut columba"
"wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove"
Compare this with Matthew X verse 16
"Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves"
So why did our ancestors choose this particular bible quotation to be their motto?
"Dan shall be the serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horses heels, so that his rider shall fall backwards"
"And Jesus, when he was baptised, went up straightaway out of the water, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him."
From the above, one interpretation of the motto could then be:
"Wise like Dan, gentle as the Spirit of God"
Is this what our ancestors had in mind?
What has been written so far is my interpretation so I welcome any discussion.
The Rossiter family of County Wexford that came to Paignton were Roman Catholics and their place of worship was Torre Abbey, owned at the time by the Cary family. According to family tradition, it is alleged that Richard Rossiter (b.1710) came to Blagdon House near Paignton, in about 1740 as a house steward to the Blount family
"Blagdon House stood on a farm known as Blagdon Barton which was on the main road from Paignton to Totnes, about two and a half miles from Paignton and a half mile nearer Totnes than the village of Collaton St.Mary. Collaton and Blagdon were in medieval times adjacent holdings on the Bishop of Exerter's great manor of Paignton and were usually regarded as one sub manor. The mansion house was situated at the foot of a hill which obstructed all prospect from it, but at a small distance, on top of the hill, stood a summer house, which commanded a noble view of the beautiful harbour of Torbay. Hardly anyrhing remains of Blagdon House except some very thick walls, these have been patched up with modern additions into workmen's dwellings. The only substantial piece of the old building that has been preserved is an eighteenth century dining hall with an almost indistinguishable coat of arms over the fireplace showing the initials E.B. (Edward Blount) and the date 1708."
from "Alexander Pope-A Life" by Maynard Mack
Blagdon House is now part of Orchard Park Caravan and Camping Ground, and the hall has been converted into a dining room, snack bar and billard room.
The Blounts became ensconced at Blagdon Hall when Sir George BLOUNT of Sodington in Worcester married Mary KIRKHAM, heiress to Blagdon Hall, on 21st August 1642. They had three children, Walter, George and Edward. Walter married twice and did not produce any children. He died in Flanders in 1717. George married twice two., firstly to the widowed Lady Mary CULLEN, and secondly to Constantaia CARY of Torre Abbey. Edward, (E.B.) married Ann GUISE in or about 1700 and they had four daughters. Three were born in London and the fourth at Blagdon Hall in 1709. The date 1708 above the fireplace must be the date Edward and his family took up residence. He had inherited Blagdon Hall on the death of his mother in 1686.
Recent research has revealed that Blagdon House was sold in 1727 upon the death of Edward Blount to the "Parkers of Whiteway" So Richard could not have been working for the Blount family at Blagdon House in 1740. So where did Richard come from and when? The search goes on.
Richard ROSSITER married Dorothy BEAVIS of Paignton in about 1745 and they were blessed with six children., Richard (b.1746), Elizabeth (b.1749), James (b.1750), William (b.1754), John (b.1758), and Edward (b.1759). From this progeny two principal families evolved., William and Edwards.
William, b 1754, a gardener, married Sarah LONDON in 1779 and they had ten children, all baptised in the catholic faith at Torre Abbey.
Edward, b 1759, a stonemason, married Mary ABBOTT, a protestant, and they lived at Abbey Road in Torquay with their eight children.
Sarah Rossiter and Robert Tucker Rossiter
Sarah ROSSITER was born in 1830 in Paignton, daughter of Samuel and Grace ROSSITER nee TULLY, grand daughter of William and Sarah ROSSITER nee LONDON and great grand daughter of Richard and Dorothy ROSSITER nee BEAVIS
Robert Tucker ROSSITER was born in Paignton in 1831, son of Thoms and Mary ROSSITER nee TAPLEY, grandson of Edward and Mary ROSSITER nee ABBOTT, and great grandson of Richard and Dorothy ROSSITER nee BEAVIS.
Sarah and Robert were second cousins and married in 1859
On 30 March 1858, Sarah ROSSITER and her sister Jane (b.1832) founded Rossiter's Department Store, (initially a drapert store) in Winner Street Paignton. In the 1870's the business shifted to Palace Avenue where it still operates today under the managership of Nigel Rossiter, great grandson of Sarah. Sarah's claim to fortune was being commissioned to make the coronation dress for Queen Victoria in 1911.
Robert Tucker ROSSITER was a mariner. He was Captain of the "Underwood" 1858-60, "Wave Queen" 1861-65, "Margaret" 1865-66, and "West" 1866-68. Robert sailed the "Wave Queen" (29,671 tons) to East Indies, Burmah, Red Sea, Mauritius, Cape Ascension, St.Helena, Algoa Bay, Natal, West Indies, Vera Cruz, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea. There is a painting of the "Wave Queen" on the wall in the Board Room at Paignton.
William ROSSITER (b.1754) was grandfather of Sarah ROSSITER and 4 x great grandfather of Merv ROSSITER, (author of this newsletter)
Names of the Fallen from the Somerset County War Memorial
1914 - 1918
Rossiter, Frank, Private, Somerset L.L., Downside
Rossiter, Henry Samuel, Driver, R.A.S.C., Bridgewater
Rossiter, James, Private, Somerset L.L., Midsomer Norton
Rossiter, Oliver, Guardsman, Grenadier Guards, West Monkton
Rossiter, Walter Edward, Private, Somerset L.L., Shepton Mallet
Rossiter, William Charles, Private, Somerset L.L., West Lydford
Rossiter, William Frederick, Signalman, Royal Naval Division, Evercreech
Compiled by Roy Parkhouse, 83 Kingsmark Avenue, Chepstow, Gwent NP6 5SN
"Dictionary of English Surnames" by Reaney and Wilson
Richard ROCETOR 1563 Pat (Calendar of Patent Rolls)
Katherine ROSSETER dau. Thomas ROSSESTIR 1636 Greenwich, Parish Reg.Kent
William ROSSITER 1662-64 hearth tax Dorset
Peter de Roucestre, son of Eustace de Roucestre (b.1217) of Riverslade in Essex was a Knight Templar in 1255. He had two brothers, Richard de Roucestre who was Cannon and Abbott of Roucestre in 1256, and Sir Henry de Roucestre. Peter had a son Eustace, in 1256.
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Answers to the name of "Lucky"
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Paddy had an Irish Terrier with no hind legs
He took it to the beach every day for a drag
Bassett's Wexford Directory 1885
p.143 Wexford Borough
Rossiter A.E. dreemaker, Barrack St.
Rossiter Catherine, spirit dea;er, Paul Quay
Rossiter Eliza+Anne, drapers, Main Street South
Rossiter John, land, Ballynaclough
Rossiter L., clerk, Barrack Street, secretary CYMS
Rossiter Nicholas, cattle dealer, Main Street North
Rossiter Patrick, Allen Street
Rossiter William, land, Ballykillane
Rossiter William, land, Newtown
Rossiter William, nursery and seedsman, 14 Main Street North
p.167
Rossiter Nicholas, grocery, flour, spirits and provisions dealer, Ballycogley
p.172
Rossiter Michael, farmer/landowner, Churchtown
p.173 Cleariestown
Rossiter Patrick, farmer/landowner, Kilmannon
Rossiter Thomas, farmer/landowner, Spencertown
p.175 Duncormick
Rossiter Thomas, farmer/landowner, Cull
p.176 Killinick (1.5 miles from Rathmacknee Castle)
Rossiter Richard, farmer/landowner, Banogue
Rossiter Patrick, farmer/landowner, Banogue
p.180 Kilmore
Rossiter Walter, Chapel
p.181 Kilmore Quay and the Saltees
Rossiter Francis, farmer/landowner, Libgate
Rossiter Michael, farmer/landowner, Ballyask
Rossiter Thomas, farmer/landowner, Libgate
Rossiter William, farmer/landowner, Libgate
p.185 Kyle
Rossiter Henry, farmer/landowner, Garrycleary
p.189 Tacumshane
Rossiter Nicholas, farmer/landowner, Hiltown
Rossiter Patrick, farmer/landowner, Paradise
p.193 Tagoat
Rossiter Laurence, farmer/landowner/Miltown
p.237 New Ross
Rossiter John, land, Ballingale
p.239 New Ross Boat Club, House Rosberion
Dr.Thomas Rossiter (President)
p.255 Ballycullane
Rossiter Peter, farmer/landowner, Ballytarsna
p.260 Bannow
Rossiter Greg, farmer/landowner, Grange
p.267 Tagmon
Rossiter Patrick, farmer/landowner, Coolaw
p.270 Fethard, Bag-an-Bun and Tower of Hook
Rossiter James, farmer/landowner, Ralph
p.311 Enniscorthy
Rossiter Tobias, bakers andflour dealers, Court Street
Rossiter Rev William, Catholic Church Cathedral
p.317 Enniscorthy
Rossiter T., leather and findings, Court Street
p.319 Enniscorthy
Rossiter Tobias, provision merchants and dealers, Court Street.
p.321 Enniscorthy
Rossiter Tobias, spirit dealer, Court Street
p.382
Rossiter L., flour/grocery business branch, Ballghhkeen
p.386 Gorey-Castlebridge
Rossiter Andrew, farmer/landowner, Craanagan
Rossiter John, farmer/landowner, Garrygibbon
The National Archives of Ireland - Business Records Survey
County...............................Wexford
Collection...........................WEX
Number..............................15
Organisation........................Rossiter
Description..........................Includes farm book account
Covering Date.....................1775 - 1825
Business Type..................... Farm
Access Cond.,.....................Open
Town/Village....................... Ballygarvan near Foulkesmills
Landowners in Ireland 1876 (Genealogical Publishing Co 1988)
Rossiter, Thomas W. Dundrum., 16-1-00.,177pounds
Rossiter, Anne., Commons Killurin., 3-0-35., 15 shillings
Rossiter, Thomas., Murrintown., 1-0-35.,5 shillings
Rossiter, Tobias., Newbawn., Foulkermile., 41-2-15., 42 pounds 5 shillings
Rossiter, W.T. Stranfield House Wexford., 383-3-10., 204 pounds 5 shillings
If there is a will, I want to be in it.
Merv Rossiter
01 March 1998
Newsletter No.5
01 June 1998
The Paignton Devon England Rossiter Family
of
Lyttleton Christchurch New Zealand
In the late 1840's, early 1850's, three brothers from Paignton, Devon and a cousin from Torquay, Devon, England, decided to emigrate to Australia and New Zealand.
The first to set sail and "leave old England forever" was Peter Pillar ROSSITER, born 1825, and his wife Mary Ann ROSSITER nee WHITE, and their daughter Elizabeth, aged two. They sailed on the "St.George Seymour" and arrived at Lyttleton, New Zealand on Tuesday 17th December 1850, a journey that took 100 days almost to the very hour from the time the ship left Plymouth.
The next to sail were Peter's two younger brothers, Edward born 1827 and Samuel born 1832. Samuel married Elizabeth Grace TINKHAM at Totnes, Devon, on 13 October 1852 and Edward married Mary Ann's sister, Prudence Christiana WHITE on 17th April 1853 at Devonport, Devon. The two families sailed together on the "Standard" which left Plymouth in Devon on the 9th September 1854 and arrived at Port Adelaide in South Australia exactly 100 days later, on the 18th December 1854.
Samuel and Grace made their home at Moonta in South Australia, while Edward and Prudence sailed onto Lyttleton in New Zealand to be with Peter and Mary Ann.
The story of the two ROSSITER families that went to New Zealand and of their ancestors and descendants is described in the book "From Devon to Dannevirke - Our Rossiter Family History" written by Raymond E Rossiter of Hamilton in New Zealand.
The last to sail was their cousin Edward ROSSITER and his wife Mary Ann ROSSITER nee COOMBES. They sailed on the "David Malcolm" from Plymouth on the 24th January 1855 and arrived at Port Adelaide in South Australia on the 30th April 1855. With them were their children., Caroline, born 1842., Edward born 1843., Mary born 1845., Richard born 1848., and Francis born 1849. (Ellen was born two years after the arrival, ie 1857.)
My book "Rossi Boots and All - More Rossiter Family History" , as yet unpublished, is about this family.
Geoffrey Rossiter of Canberra is writing a book about the Rossiter's of Moonta and it should be published towards then end of 1999.
Rossiter's of Lyttleton, Christchurch, New Zealand
"Peter Pillar ROSSITER was born in 1825 at Stokenteignhead, Torquay, Devon, England. He married Mary Ann WHITE in Devonport, Plymouth, England on the 18th July 1847.
On the 8th September 1850 Peter and Mary and their two year old daughter, Elizabeth, boarded the "St.George Seymour", one of the four Canterbury Association ships bound for New Zealand.
The Canterbury Association was the product of Edward Gibbon WAKEFIELD, an English parliamentarian and visionary. In 1843 he planned a Church of England colony in New Zealand but it wasn't until 1847 that he persuaded John Robert GODLEY, a young Irish barrister, to form the Association. It included amongst its members the Archbishops of Canterbury and Dublin, seven Bishops, ten Lords and numerous Members of Parliament.
In 1848 the association sent to New Zealand Captain Joseph THOMAS, a surveyor, to prepare for the first immigrants. He surveyed the town sites of Christchurch and Port Lyttleton, originally named Port Cooper, and began work on roads, wharfs and buildings. He also surveyed much of the rural land, laying out some 700,000 acres in triangular sections and making detailed maps of 300,000 acres of the best agriculture land.
Thus when the first four ships., "St.George Seymour", "Cressy", "Charlotte Jane", and "Randolph", carrying 800 emmigrants, arrived at Port Lyttleton at 10am on Tuesday 17 December 1850, the passengers found their arrival made easier by the preparations made by Captain Joseph THOMAS. The local Maoris gave them fruit and vegetables and William DEANS of Riccarton, who had established a sheep and cattle farm in 1843, also assisted. When the immigrants stepped ashore they found barracks erected for their temporary accommodation, but the steep road over the hill to Christchurch had only gone 400 metres.
So the pilgrims had to struggle up the "Bridal Path".
Today, visitors to Cathedral Square in Christchurch may see four Oak trees outside the Post Office, one for each of the first four ships. At the foot of each tree is a bronze plaque on which is engraved the name of the ship and her passengers
Peter Pillar ROSSITER was the great great grandfather of Merv ROSSITER, the author of this newsletter."
from "The Rossiter Papers - A Collection of Notes on Some Rossiter Families - Book One".
*1 Richard ROSSITER, b1710 Wexford Ireland, d 1779, m c1745, Dorothy BEAVIS
**2 William, b 1754 Paignton Devon, d 1823, m 1779, Sarah LONDON
***3 Willaim, b c1787, m2 1823 Elizabeth PILLAR
****4 Peter Pillar, b 1825 Stokenteignhead, d 1899 Dannevirke, m 1847, Mary A WHITE
*****5 William Henry, b 1851 Lyttleton, d 1931, m2 1885 Elizabeth HOLLAND
******6 Benjamin, b.1886 Dannevirke, d 1968, m 1908 Katherine Margaret HALL
*******7 William Henry, b.1908 Dannevirke, d 1979, m 1933 Jessie KEMP
********8 Mervyn James, b 1939 Auckland.
"He is the master criminal who can defy the law" - T.S.ELLIOT
"On the dance floor I was known as Merv the Perv, on the tennis and squash courts Merv the Serve, in the wrestling ring Merv the Nerve, and on the hockey field, Merv the Swerve.
At school I had many nicknames., Ross, Rossi, Rose, Rooster, Dr.Rossi, (as in Peyton Place), and Father Rossi. One bloke insisted on calling me Lassiter or was it Lasseter.
I was born 6.00pm Sunday 22nd January 1939, in Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand. I cannot remember anything about the event but my mother was there at the time. Mum has told me, on more than one occasion, how she missed out on her Sunday night's roast dinner.
My first name, Mervyn, was given to me because mum and dad liked the English film star Mervyn Johns, (father of Glynnis). Mervyn is a Welsh name meaning "favourite friend". My second name James is after my paternal grandfather, Benjamin James ROSSITER
Looking back, life has been a series of ups and downs which I suppose is normal for everyone., but was I normal. I had three broken arms and a bout of scarlet fever before I was seven years old, avoiding death on two occasions. So for my first fourteen years I suppose I was a "delicate child." I didn't do any good work at school until my sixth year when I excelled at "mental arithmetic"., ie., 20 arithmetical questions against the clock. Invariably I got 100% which I managed for the next three years until I went to High School where mental arithmetic was no more, just mental school teachers. Thus, without any school teachers to inspire me, hockey, tennis and wrestling dominated the rest of my school life.
I left school at the end of 1956 and joined the New Zealand Ministry of Works, (a government department), to become a civil engineer. I carried out engineering surveys for roads, motorways, school playing fields, and bridge sites spending two years at the New Street office in Ponsonby, one year at the Devonport Naval Base, and three months at a survey training school at Trentham in Wellington. I also had one year at the Testing Laboratory in Fanshawe Street in Auckland, where I learnt how to play chess. I will always remember the New Street office. On the wall in the draughting room was a sign that read :
"nulli bastardium carborundum est"
which meant, "don't let the bastards grind you down."
On February 6th 1958, I met my wife to be, Noeline, at a Saturday night dance at the Point Chevalier Sailing Club.We had both attended the same High School, Avondale College, but as the boys were not allowed to talk to the girls, this was the first time we had met. Two years later it was time to change my job to earn more money so we could marry and support a family. We were married in St.Matthew's Church, Hobson Street, Auckland, at 4.00pm 0n Saturday 3rd September 1960. We had our honeymoon at the Spa Hotel in Taupo.
My new job was with a road construction firm., my salary increased from $1300 pa to $2000.
Our first child, Christine Margarette, was born 16th March 1961 at St.Margaret's Hospital, Papatoetoe in Auckland. About the same time Noeline and I purchased our brand new home at 192 Portage road, Papatoetoe.
After twelve months working for a local roading contractor I decided to work for a local consulting engineer, designing sewer and stormwater schemes for Papatoetoe City Council and also designing housing estates for property developers.
Neil Mervyn Rossiter was born 8th March 1962 at Auckland Public Hospital in Howick. It was shortly after this event that I took a second job., working weekends at a nearby poultry farm. So there I was., 23 years of age with two kids, two jobs, and two mortgages.
After four years in Paptoetoe, and having obtained my New Zealand Certificate in Engineering, the Bay of Islands called. The house was sold and we moved to Kawakawa., population 1000. This is the town where the railway line runs down the middle of the main street. I had a job with the Bay of Islands County Council designing and supervising the construction of roads at a salary of $2400 pa. I always remember arriving in Kawakawa in the furniture removal truck. We left Auckland at midnight to miss any heavy traffic, and arrived at Kawakawa six hours later. Just as we arrived we heard guns going off and I knew it was not a salute for me. It was the opening of the duck shooting season., the first Saturday in May. I enjoyed living in the Bay of Islands, visiting places like Kerikeri, Russell, Paihia, Waitangi, Kaikohe and of course, the thermal waters of Ngawha Springs.
I was appointed Staff Engineer to the Hobson County Council in June 1966 on a salary of $3100 pa. Our first house was at 143 Gordon Street, and our second at 18 Jervois Street., a large four bedroom kauri timber house, what people in Australia would call a "Queenslander."
The next six and a half years were happy times for Noeline and I, except on two occasions.
I had my appendix out, which really didn't bother me, although I missed out on a hockey trip to Australia., and Noeline had a miscarriage. Sheryll Ann Rossiter was born 14th July 1966 three months premature and lived for two days. Blood tests showed that Noeline and I were incompatible., Noeline O negative and me, A positive. (Christine and Neil were both O positive.) The local doctor said, "we could abstain from having more children or I could get stuck in." So Megan Jessie Rossiter was born in Auckland, 31st December 1968,.
(A positive), without any problems. I had a great time in Dargaville and have made several return visits.
In 1973 I was appointed Assistant Engineer to the Birkenhead City Council in Auckland. Noeline and we purchased our own house at 52 Waipa Street in Birkenhead. In 1974 I worked for a consulting engineer supervising the construction of housing estates.
The peak of my career came in 1975 when I became a self employed contractor., Rossi Developments Limited was formed and lasted for twelve years. I built retaining walls, bridges, concrete lined streams, skate board bowls, foundations for buildings and draughted plans. You name it., I did it.
I promised myself that I would retire at 50., well, I did at 48., sold up and moved to Australia.But I still had the urge to do something. I needed a challenge.I worked for a few months as a mine surveyor south of Mt.Isa, and then for a consulting engineer on the Gold Coast.My challenge came in 1990. I built a 50m by 25m swimming pool on a "labour only basis" for The Southport School., (TSS), a one million dollar project.
Since then, I have become interested in writing, reading, genealogy, gardening, bridge, art, drawing, painting, pottery, playing the organ, and beach walking. It is walking the 35 kms of the Gold Coast beaches that I have my inspirations."
from "The First Book of Merv" by Mervyn J Rossiter. (written January 1996 and still unpublished.)
Question
What's the difference between snot and broccolli
Answer
Kids wont eat broccolli
This condition is very contagious to adults
Symptoms : Continual complaint as to need for names, dates, places. Patient has a blank expression, sometimes deaf to spouse and children. Has no taste for work of any kind, except feverishly looking through records at libraries and courthouses. Has compulsion to write letters. Swears at mailman when he doesn't leave mail. Frequents strange places such as cemeteries, ruins and remote, desolate country areas. Makes secret night phone calls, hides phone bill from spouse and mumbles to self. Has strange faraway look in eyes.
Treatment : Medication is useless. Disease is not fatal, but gets progressively worse. Patient should attend family workshops, subscribe to genealogical magazines and be given a quiet corner in the house where he or she can be alone. The unusual nature of this disease is - the sicker the patient gets, the more he or she enjoys it.
Remarks : For this disease there is no known cure.
ROSSITER, 1891 census South Shields, England
ROSSITER, Robert., 58, colliery engineman, born NBL Chirton
ROSSITER, Elizabeth., 55, wife, born DUR S Shields
ROSSITER, William S., 33, son, joiner,
ROSSITER, Luke., 31, son, colliery engineman, (widower)
ROSSITER, Robert., 08, g'son, scholar, born DUR Harton colliery
ROSSITER, James H., 21, son, joiner
ROSSITER, Elizabeth., 19, dau
Some Rossiter Soldiers Who Died in the Great War of 1914
ROSSITER, Eliah, Ogmore Vale, Glam. enlisted Pontycymmer Glam. (Bridgend Glam)
86599, Sapper, killed in action, Flanders, France 13.08.1917, formerly 12357 Welch Reg.
(184th Tunnel Co. Royal Engineers)
ROSSITER, George, born Tottenham Middx. enlisted London (Holloway Mddx)
111050 Pnr. died Flanders, France 26.12.1916 (2nd Lab Battn.R,E.)
The above information was supplied by Mrs Chris Pringle of England.
A message from Dave ROSSITER - Dave.R@btinternet.com
"I am pleased to announce the creation of ROSSITER@onelist.com
A mailing list for the discussion and sharing of information regarding the ROSSITER surname and variations in any place and at any time.
Mailing address for postings is rossiter@onelist.com but please note that you cannot subscribe via this address.
You can subscribe from http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/rossiter where you may be asked some demographic questions in order to support the free mailing lists with minimal advertising.
This is an approved list so I have to let everyone in, please be patient, unless I'm away it should not take more than 24 hours.
I hope this forum will become a useful worldwide resource for those interested in or related to the ROSSITER name."
Recipe for Father Rossi's Irish Whisky Cream Liqueur
Place the following ingredients in a food processor and blend for three minutes., then bottle and place in the fridge or drink the bloody lot.
1 cup of Irish whisky
400gm tin sweetened condensed milk
225 gm tin reduced cream
3 tsp find blend coffee powder
1 tsp chocolate essence
1tsp almond essence
1 egg yolk
This makes about 750 mls. Top up with extra whisky if necessary. Total cost about $5.00
Cost in shop about $25.00
It is thought that my Irish Rossiter ancestors came from Wexford to Paignton, Devon, England in about 1740 but at the moment the link is not proven conclusively.
However, my father's mother's parents (ie., my great grandparents) were both born in Ireland.
My great grandfather, William HALL was born about 1840 at Cappamore in County Limerick, Ireland, son of Thomas HALL and Catherine COLLINS. On 12 November 1862 he arrived in Sydney, Australia on the "Northumberland". On the 2nd July 1866 he married in Sydney, Margaret O'REILLY of County Limerick. They had seven children and in 1878/9 the family moved to Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Margaret died on the 20th September 1879 and was buried at Napier. On the 15th September 1881 at St.Mary's Church, Meanee, Hawkes Bay, Thomas married the widowed Mary Ellen MILES nee Ryan who was born in County Waterford in 1861.They had two children, Daniel and my father's mother, Katherine Margaret HALL born 1889 at Woodville.
So there you have it. I'm one quarter Irish. Don't ask which quarter.
From Irish Marriages Index in "Walker's Hibernian Magazine" 1771-1812
Ignatius ROSSITER of Craig Co.Kilkenny married Maria HAGARTY,
2nd dau. of Edm. of Killeoltrim. Co.Carlow, Sat.18 Apr.1812
May you live one hundred years with one hundred more to finish your Irish research.
Merv Rossiter
01 June 1998
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The Paignton, Devon, England Rossiter Family
of
Moonta, South Australia, Australia
Samuel ROSSITER was born in 1832 at Stokenteignhead, Devon, England, the fifth son of William ROSSITER and Elizabeth ROSSITER nee PILLAR.
On the 30th October 1852 Samuel married Elizabeth Grace TINKHAM at the Registry Office in Totnes in Devon. On the 9th September 1854 Samuel and Grace sailed from Plymouth, England to South Australia on the ship, the "Standard". They had with them their infant daughter, Elizabeth, who died at sea during the first three weeks of the voyage. Also on board the ship were Samuel's brother, Edward and his wife Prudence who sailed on to Lyttleton, New Zealand, to be with the eldest brother, Peter Pillar ROSSITER and his wife Mary Ann ROSSITER nee WHITE. Prudence and Mary Ann were sisters.
The "Standard" arrived at Port Adelaide on the 18th December 1854, a voyage that lasted exactly 100 days. In 1860 Samuel and Elizabeth were living in Penrice, (near Angaston) and in 1863 they moved to Moonta, a copper mining town on the Yorke Peninsula where Samuel established a business. Moonta was their home for the next 17 years. Samuel and a Mister DAVIES had a business known as ROSSITER and DAVIES which operated at Moonta and Wallaroo. Mr DAVIES operated a large steam driven sawmill at Wallaroo while Samuel worked as a storekeeper and carpenter in Moonta. ROSSITER and DAVIES built the Moonta jetty in 1872. It was demolished in 1961. They also built the Moonta Methodist Church and a number of other Methodist churches in the Moonta suburbs. Samuel had two apprentices working for him, POLLARD and COWLING, and when he retired about 1880, they bought the business.
Samuel had a house and shop on the corner of Blanche Terrace and Ryan Street opposite the Bowling Club. He also had a residence on the cliff at Moonta Bay on the south side of the jetty.
Rossiter's Point and Rossiter's Street in Moonta were named after Samuel.
In 1872, when the Corporation of Moonta was established, Samuel was elected a member of the first Council and subsequently became Mayor in 1876, a position he held for three years.
Samuel and Elizabeth had four children that survived infancy, Samuel Jnr (b.1860), Elizabeth Bertha (b.1861), William Ernest (b.1865) and Sarah Ann (b.1867)
In 1879 Samuel was appointed Justice of the Peace by the South Australian Government. In 1880 he sold his business, and at the age of 48, he and his wife and their two younger children moved to Woodville, three miles from the centre the city of Adelaide. Samuel Jnr stayed on in Moonta working as a carpenter, having completed an apprenticeship under his father.
About 1893 Samuel and Elizabeth left South Australia and went to Esperance Bay in Western Australia where they had a contracting business for a few years. They must have returned about 1899, because they both died in Adelaide in 1900, Elizabeth in August and Samuel in December. They were both buried in the West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide.
Samuel Junior was born on the 7th June 1860 at Penrice, near Angaston, eldest son of Samuel and Elizabeth ROSSITER nee TINKHAM. He grew up in Moonta, where he became a carpenter apprenticed to his father.
In 1882 or 1883 young Samuel entered the Weslyan Church as a probationary Minister. His first appointment was to the little country town of Caltowie, some 300 kms north of Adelaide. For the next five years he was appointed to five different country circuits.
In 1886-87 he was appointed to the Adelaide suburb of Magill where he met and married Emma Thyrza MITCHELL on the 7th February 1887.
During his 40 years in the Ministry, Reverend Sam was appointed to 20 different circuits. some of these were., Prospect in Broken Hill (1899-1902); Semaphore (1902-1905); Glenelg (1913-1916) and Burnside in 1923.
The Rev Sam and his wife Emma had four children, all boys. James Leonard born in 1887 at Crystal Brook (25 kms south of Port Pirie); Clarence Cary born in 1891 at Mintaro; Samuel Keith born in 1894 at Mintaro; and Eric Harold born in 1897 at Port Pirie.
Living in the country and constantly moving from one circuit to another must have place a big strain on Emma. She suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis and died in 1918 at the age of 56 while the family were living at Strathalbyn, a suburb just south of Adelaide.
The Rev.Sam's last appointment was to to the Adelaide suburb of Burnside, where he died in 1923 of a heart attack aged 63.
James Leonard ROSSITER was born on the 9th September 1887 at Crystal Brook, 25 kms south of Port Pirie in South Australia. He was the eldest of four sons to the Reverend Samuel Junior ROSSITER and Emma Thyrza ROSSITER nee MITCHELL. He won a High School scholarship to Prince Alfred College at Adelaide and then went on to the University of Adelaide where he obtained the degrees Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts.He then trained as a teacher. While at University he met Marguerite Sparkman JACOBS and they were married in 1912. Their first child Roger James ROSSITER was born on the 24th July 1913 at Glenelg which is a suburb of Adelaide.
On th 1st April 1913, after a couple of years working for the South Australian Education Department, James was appoined Director of Education to the Northern Territory. He arrived in Darwin on the ship S.S.Empire on the 21st April. His wife with the newly born Roger followed on the S.S.Mataram on 12th October.
James quickly became involved in the Darwin community. He was a cricket player of some repute, being opening batsman for the Government team as well as being an accomplished bowler. He was a member of the Darwin Literary and Debating Society and he presented a paper on the 15th July 1913 called "Some Principles of Browning's Philosophy of Life" and expounded Browning's teachings that "stress and struggle were essential to the development and growth of the soul of man."
In the teaching profession, he introduced new requirements to establish the school system on a firm foundation. His annual report on the work of the Education Department dated 31 December 1913 gives an insight to the conditions he faced and the remedies he instigated.
In 1926 he wrote a book called "Notes and Exercises on We of the Never Never" which consisted of study notes and questions about the popular Australian book written by Mrs Aeneas GUNN. The introduction gives a vivid description of Darwin and the Northern Territory as he saw it in 1913
Rossiter Street in Darwin was named after James Leonard ROSSITER.
In 1914, the Northern Territory Government abolished the position of Director of Education. They had run out of money. So on the 31st March 1914, James and his wife and their eight month old son Roger sailed on the S.S.St Albans for Sydney. James first took a position with the East Maitland Boy's High School then he went to Parramatta High School where he taught from 1915 to 1922.
James and Mary's second child, Geoffrey George ROSSITER was born in Maitland on the 9th September 1916 followed by Josie Mary Mitchell ROSSITER who was born on the 1st January 1919.
In 1923, James was appointed Headmaster of Thornburgh College, a joint Methodist and Presbyterian Boys Boarding School in Charters Towers in North Queensland. Charters Towers was an important education centre in those days. It served the whole of North Queensland. In all, there were six church schools, (three for boys and three for girls), as well as the normal State schools. For the next six years Thornburgh made great strides and was held in high regard throughout the whole area.
In 1927 James Leonard ROSSITER was awarded the degree of Doctor of Literature by the University of Indiana in the United states of America
In 1928 Nancy Judith ROSSITER was born so now there were two boys and two girls in the family.
In 1930 Dr J.L.ROSSITER took up an appointment as Headmaster of Wesley College which was at 40 Goode Street in Perth in Western Australia. Wesley College was a small Methodist boys' school founded in 1923 and Dr ROSSITER stayed there until his retirement in 1952 during which time the school flourished and became recognised as one of the best schools in Western Australia. He was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire, (CBE), in 1960, for his contributions to education.
Rossiter Way in the Perth suburb of Winthrop was named after Dr.ROSSITER.
Dr.ROSSITER was active in church and Masonic affairs as well as being a member of the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia. As a Freemason he was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia of A.F. and A.M; and past Provincial Prior of Knights Templar in Western Australia.
He was Chairman of the Adult Education Board, Member of the Senate and Warden of convocation at the University of Western Australia from 1944 to 1956. In 1960 he was acting Principal of the Methodist Ladies College in Perth.
Dr.ROSSITER was awarded the Defence Medal 1939-1945., Jubilee Medal 1935., King George VI Coronation Medal 1937., and Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953.
Dr.ROSSITER died of a heart attack at his residence at Karrinyup via Mount Hawthorn in Western Australia on the 3rd September 1963 in his 75th year.
Roger James ROSSITER was born 24 July 1913 at Glenelg, near Adelaide in South Australia, the eldest of four children to James Leonard ROSSITER and Mary Marguerite Sparkman ROSSITER nee JACOBS.
Roger spent the first eight months of his life at Darwin, in the Northern Territory where his father was the Director of Education. In 1914 the family moved to Sydney in New South Wales. Roger would have begun his schooling at Parramatta, a western suburb of Sydney, at the age of six or seven. When he was 10 years of age the family moved to Charters Towers, an old gold mining town, 135 kms south west of Townsville in the northern part of Queensland. Roger's father was Headmaster of Thornburgh College and this is where Roger attended school.
In 1930 Roger's father became Headmaster of Wesley College in Perth in Western Australia, and it was here that Roger completed his high school education.
Roger then attended the University of Western Australia in Perth. In 1934, he earned with distinction, a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. In 1935, he won a Rhodes Scholarship and attended Merton College at Oxford, England. In 1938 he graduated with first class honours in Biochemistry and Physiology. He then trained as a medical scientist under Sir Rudolph PETERS. The University conferred on Roger the following degrees;
D.Phil (1940)., B.M.and B.Ch.(1941) and M.A.(1942).
During WWII Roger conducted army research on malaria and burn injuries and studied malnutrition in repatriated prisoners of war. He served with the M.R.C.Burn Unit and as a Major in the R.A.M.C. saw service in England, Italy and India. In 1946 he resumed his studies at Oxford and recieved the D.M. degree.
In 1947 Roger ROSSITER emigrated to London, Ontario,Canada and became Head of the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Western Ontario. Here he pioneered studies of the nervous system's chemical composition and was prominent in the development of biochemistry in Canada
In 1940 Roger ROSSITER married Helen M.RANDELL at Edinburgh, Scotland. Helen was born in Australia also, and worked as a physician. They had three children., James, Margaret and George.
Professor ROSSITER died suddenly on 21st February 1976 at Helsinki in Finland.
He was 62 years of age.
Reference - "The Rossiter Papers - Book Five" by Mervyn J Rossiter
Postscript - Have you ever wondered why the brains of a clan are always concentrated in one particular family?
In May 1998 I wrote a book entitled "Bookmarks on the Internet for the Family Historian". It contains about 250 sites from around the world and is an ideal reference book for the genealogist. It will be enlarged and republished in May 1999. Please email for details if you would like a copy.
"The Life and Legacy of Reginald Perrin - A Celebration" by Richard Webber
published by Virgin Books 1996., ISBN 1 85227 686 X., 160pp hardcover, 240 x195
"The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin" played by Leonard Rossiter first appeared on TV in 1976. Three series of seven episodes were produced. In 1996 a fourth series of seven episodes, "The Life and Legacy of Reginald Perrin", appeared on British TV. (Australia is yet to catch up.)
The book gives a detailed commentary on all twenty eight episodes and is a must for all Reggie entusiasts. It is a fine tribute to Leonard Rossiter.
This book was sent to me by Paul Rossiter of Liverpool. Thank you Paul.
Reggie enthusiasts will be interested to know that a vegetarian restaurant by the name of
"Veggie Perrin's" has been opened in Plymouth in England
Rest In Peace, Reginald Iolanthe Rossiter, 1924 - 1995
1856 Post Office Directory for County Devon, England
Rossiter H. - Whitestone, Exeter
Rossiter J. - Kenton, Exeter
Rossiter Samuel. - Collaton Kirkham, Paignton, Torquay
Rossiter W. - Bishop's Teignton, Teingmouth
Lambert de Rosei - Castle Acre - William de Warenne
Lambert de Rosei (our Rossiter ancestor) came from Rosei de Roseto, in Dieppe, Bellencombre, in France, with William the Conqueror in 1066. In 1086 the Rossiters were granted land in West Rudham in Norfolk. The first Baron was Lambert de Rosei who held Castle Acre as an under tenant to the Earl of Warwick and Surrey, William de Warenne.
William de Warenne was the son-in-law of William the Conqueror and Matilda (Countess of Flanders) having married Gundred, Princess of England, in Normanby, France before 1077.
Gundred died 27 May 1085 in Castle Acre and was buried in the Priory, Lewes, Sussex.
William was born about 1055 in Bellencombe and died 24 June 1088 and was also buried in the Priory of Lewes in Sussex.
Castle Acre was a stronghold along Peddar's Way, the conection between Colchester and the Wash, on a hilltop commanding the surrounding countryside. The village is walled in some parts, and not easily accesible, especially by large vehicles, which have to negotiate a gateway with a flint arch. The Bailey Gate is all that remains of a wall 7 feet thick. On the village green in the centre, opposite the minute Post Office, there is the Ostrich, a fine pub offering vegetarian food.
Castle Acre Priory is a 15 century Prior's lodging, showing what a desirable residence this was. The great west front still soars to its original height. Building of the actual priory began actually in 1090 AD by the second Earl of Surrey (William II de Warenne). After the 1536 Dissolution, the Prior's Lodge became a farmhouse.
St.James' Church has a Tudor-arched belfry windows, a 13th century priest door and a fine tabernacled 15 century font cover
The stone country house just south of the village was built by William de Warenne, son-in-law of the Duke of Normanby, William I. It was later converted into an impressive motte-and-bailey castle, overlooking the river Nar and the Peddars Way. The Warennes died out in 1347, and the castle passed to the Coke family eventually.
Castle Acre Priory is 1/4 mile west of Castle Acre and 5 miles north of Swaffham.
William de Warenne is also listed as being a landholder in Lincolnshire in 1086. His father-in-law commenced building a castle in Lincoln in 1068. Also the British Museum have a manuscript for Rossitur of Somerby dated 1190.
From the above it would appear that if an in depth study was done of the Warren family, more information about the Rossiter family may be found.
The Rossiter - Trainor - McCabe Families
John ROSSITER of Co.Wicklow married Ann TRAINOR (1793-1888) of Co.Armagh. They remained in Ireland, never emigrating. Ann TRAINOR was the d/o John TRAINOR (1772-1869) and Catherine DALY (1778-1854)
John ROSSITER jnr (1826-1904) s/o John ROSSITER and Ann TRAINOR emigrated to Ontario, Canada when he was of age, marrying Bridget CRENNAN (1831-1916) native of Co.Wexford and d/o John CREENAN and Catherine LAWLER
John ROSSITER Jnr and Bridget CREENAN had a large family which continued to intertwine with branches of the McCABE family through the generations.
The motto for the McCabe family
aut vincere aut mori
either to conquer or to die
The above information was supplied by Pat and Greg McCABE of Merrickville, Ontario.
Did you know that old MacDonald, the Irish farmer, suffered from dyslexia?.
O - I - E - I - E
Did you know that five out of four Irishmen suffer from schizophrenia?.
"The People's Rising - Wexford 1798" by Daniel Gahan
publisher Gill and MacMillan
367 pages, 210x125 soft cover
This book gives a day by day account of the events leading up to the battle at Vinegar Hill, the details of the battle, and a day by day account of the aftermath. It is full of biographical information.
In the Biography on pages 336 and 337 a list is given of Manuscript Sources in Ireland. There is a reference to MS 22124 Pat Rossiter Legend on page 337. It appears that Pat Rossiter was one of the ring leaders of the uprising along with Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey, Cornelius Grogan, Patrick Prendegrast, Captain Thomas Nixon, and Colclough. After the uprising Rossiter and Nixon escaped never to be heard of again. It was thought that Nixon went to America. Did Pat Rossiter go with him?.
In Gahan's book, there is no mention of Ignatius Rossiter or his cousin John.
"Captain Ignatius Rossiter of Saunders Court was arrested as a rebel by his cousin John Rossiter of Graigue and faced trial on 20th February 1800" (ref "Memoirs of the Irish Rebellion of 1798" by Sir Richard Musgrave.)
Dr.Daniel Gahan is a native of County Wexford and a graduate of St.Patricks College at Maynooth. He lectures in history at the University of Evanville, Indiana, USA.
If you would like your family history researched and compiled free of charge then you should become a politician
Merv Rossiter
01 September 1998
Newsletter No.7
December 1998
The Paignton, Devon, England, Rossiter Family
of
Rangiora and Waiuku New Zealand
Edward Rossiter was baptised at Stokenteignhead, Devon on the 4th September 1827, son of William ROSSITER and Elizabeth PILLAR of Paignton. He married Prudence Christiana WHITE on the 17th April 1853 at St Jame's Church, Devonport, Devon, England.
The couple sailed on the "Standard" and arrived at Port Adelaide in South Australia on the 18th December 1854. With them were Edward's brother Samuel and his wife Elizabeth who settled at Moonta in South Australia.
It is not known how or when Edward and Prudence arrived at Lyttleton, Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand. What is known is that their first child was born in Christchurch on the 18 December 1857. He was named James Edward ROSSITER.
James married Margaret Rankin GUINEY in 1880 and he died in Wellington in 1931. If they had any children, then they predeceased both parents.
The next child to be born was Samuel Thomas ROSSITER , born on the 1st August 1860 at Rangiora. He married Clara Louisa BARRIBALL in Waiuku, (south of Auckland) on the 23 March 1887 and he died in Auckland on the 16th October 1836
Next was Mary Ann (Polly) ROSSITER who was born on the 3rd of Feb 1863 and married J.W.BATES of Christchurch. Then followed Eliza Jane ROSSITER, born 23 Feb 1865 who married Hiram FREEMAN on the 5th May 1888 at Rocky Nook, Auckland.
The 1851 census for the Parish of Stock Damerel (Plymouth), England, show the occupants of 3 John Street as -Mary Ann WHITE, widow, 59 years, washer-woman., Christiana WHITE, daughter, un-married, 25, needle worker., Edward ROSSITER, 33 years, house carpenter. This is our Edward and Christiana.
The Electoral roll for Christchurch County District 1857-1858 shows Edward ROSSITER, Ferry Road, carpenter, freehold, house and land. In 1860 he leased RS 2863, 50 acres on the north bank of the Ashley River in Christchurch with covenant to purchase with Louis Edward NATHAN, a merchant of Christchurch, agreeing to break in for cultivation in the first three years and manure and manage. 48
In 1865 Edward assigned his lease to William PURSEY, a farmer of Rangiora. (Rangiora is just south of Christchurch). His name is perpetuated in Rangiora by ROSSITER'S ROAD which runs off Dixon Street. He also applied to be placed on the Cheviot Electoral Roll in 1861. The 1863 New Zealand Gazette records a Land Transfer, occupied by Edward, consisting of three roods of Section 1294, Rangiora Survey District Edward carried on his business as a builder, undertaker, and contractor until, according to the North Canterbury times of 17 August 1889, he broke his leg while logging at Oxford. Following this, his health broke down and he went to live in Rangiora in 1900.
On 1st August 1904, Edward died at his residence in Durham Street at the age of 77 years and was buried in the Rangiora Baptist Cemetery on 03 August. His wife Prudence, died the following year on 26 August and was buried alongside her husband.
Samuel Thomas ROSSITER was born on the 1st August 1860 at Rangiora in the South Island of New Zealand and learnt his business from his father, that of builder, contractor and undertaker.
In 1883 Samuel went to Waiuku to build the Courthouse. Two years later he moved to Auckland where he remained for six years. During that time he build many fine buildings including a beautiful house for Henry BRETT at Lake Pupuke at Takapuna, named Te Kiteroa, a Maori name which means "long view."
Henry BRETT is known in genealogical circles as the author of the book in two volumes entitled "White Wings" which documents the shipping movements in Auckland and other parts of New Zealand.
Samuel returned to Waiuku in 1891 with his wife of four years and their first two children. On the 23 March 1887 Samuel married Clara Louisa BARRIBALL at Waiuku. They had six children., Ruby in 1888, Hazel in 1890, Norman in 1895, Ethel in 1897, Gladys in 1899 and Lawrence in 1904.
Samuel built the Creamery at Aka Aka (near Waiuku) in 1900 and the Aka Aka Hall in 1912.
Samuel died at his residence in Sandringham, Auckland 16 October 1936 and was buried at the Waiuku Cemetery.
References-:
"Cyclopedia of New Zealand 1900"
"From Devon to Dannevirke - Our Rossiter Family History" by Raymond E Rossiter
Success Stories
Number One
Ann PETERS nee ROSSITER originally of Marnhull, Dorset, England, and now of Ontario, Canada has now traced her family tree back to Child Okeford, Dorset. Samuel ROSSITER, born 1690 in Child Okeford is her 6 x great grandfather
*1 ROSSITER, Samuel b 1690 Child Okeford, d 1757, m 1720, Ann UPWARD
**2 John b1726 Child Okeford, d 1793, m 1748, Martha MOORS
***3 Samuel b 1759 Child Okeford, m 1791, Ann JEANES
****4 Robert b1797 Child Okeford, d 1866, m 1819, Catherine KERLEY
*****5 Thomas b 1824 East Orchard, m Mary MILES
******6 Thomas, b1848 Hartgrove, d 1923, m(1)1871 Agnes, m(2)1882 Eliz ROSSITER *******7 Osmond, b 1897 Marnhull, d 1961, m 1918, Sarah DANIELS
********8 Harry, b 1921 Marnhull, m 1941, Doreen BUTCHER
*********9 Ann, b 1945 Bournemouth, m 1967 William PETERS
From Ann PETERS family tree I have found the ancestors of Edward ROSSITER born Long Critchell in 1844, who came to Adelaide Australia and married Mrs Annie STEVENSON in 1888.
Further details available on request.
In Newsletter No.Two, I requested help to find the ancestors of James Hurley ROSSITER. My thanks to Peter ROSSITER in England, a distant cousin of James, who supplied a detailed family tree.
*1 ROSSITER, John.b1580 Doulting, d 1666, m Elizabeth?
**2 Robert, b1612/13 Doulting, d 1691, m 1636 Doulting, Sarah?
***3 James, b c1645 Doulting, d 1694 Doulting, m 1665 Doulting, Debery TILLY
****4 John, b 1668 Doulting, m.Mary ? d 1704 Doulting
*****5 Robert, b 1695 Doulting, d 1775 London, m.1724, Frances ?
******6 Thomas, b 1735 London, d 1793 London, m1757 London, Elizabeth BATEMAN *******7 James Marmaduke, b 1763 London, d c1829, m Sarah ?
********8 James Marmaduke, b ?, d 1866 London, m Sarah CLAPMAN
*********9 Robert Grafton, b 1822, d 1861, m Elizabeth SKELTON
**********10 James Hurley, b 1849, d 1914, m 1875, Mary Kate COOPER
Further details upon request.
My thanks to Clive ROSSITER in Wales who supplied information that allowed me to put together the family tree for William and Phoebe ROSSITER nee WEST of Frome, Somerset, who arrived 1857 Wellington, New Zealand on the "Alma"
*1 ROSSITER, John. bp1671 Frome, m 1702, Joan DOWN, d 1752
**2 James, bp 1713/14 Frome, d 1768, m 1740, Betty WEST
***3 William, bp 1755 Frome, m 1778, Mary OSMOND
****4 Solomon, bp 1795 Frome, m (1) Eliz CHIVERS, m (2) 1832 Jane BURKBY *****5 William, b 1815 Frome, d 1893 New Zealand, m c1840, Phoebe WEST
Further details upon request
Thanks again to Clive ROSSITER for supplying information that allowed me to put together the family tree for Benjamin and Zillah ROSSITER nee BAYNTON who arrived 1840 Melbourne, on the Australia "Strathfieldsaye"
*1 ROSSITER, John, bp1671 Frome, m 1702 Frome, Joan DOWN
**2 James, bp1713/14 Frome, d 1768, m1740, Betty WEST
***3 James bp 1757, m 1781 Ann HODDINOTT
****4 Benjamin bp c1785, d 1858 Victoria Australia, m 1818, Zillah BAYNTON
Case Study No.One - According to family tradition Richard ROSSITER (1720-1780) came from Wexford, Ireland about 1740, with a titled catholic family by the name of Blount to Blagdon Hall near Paignton where he was their house steward. (He is Merv Rossiter's 5 x great grandfather.) Richard married Dorothy BEAVIS c1745.
Recent investigative research has revealed that the Blount family sold Blagdon House in 1728. So much for family tradition.
I would be pleased to hear from an expert in Irish history so I can solve this puzzle.
Case Study No.Two - Phillip J MARTIN of USA is looking for his Rossiter ancestors in Newfoundland. The Rossiters emigrated from Wexford to Calvert about 1810 and settled at St.Johns. Any help appreciated.
Case Study No.Three - Virginia HOEM of USA is looking for information on her great grandfather. John Joseph ROSSITER was born in Wexford in 1834 and died in Milwaukee, USA in 1899. He married Catherine McGRATH in Milwaukee in 1868. Any help appreciated.
Case Study No.Four - Bill ROSSITER of the USA is looking for information about his 3 x great grandfather. William ROSSITER of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania born 30 Aug 1768. He married Elizabeth SAILOR, born 18 Dec 1770. The family lived at Valley Forge. Any help appreciated.
Frank Rossiter of Mount Cook, New Zealand
Frank Rossiter was a driver of a horse drawn coach in the 1880's that took passengers from the train terminus at Fairlie Creek to "The Hermitage", the hotel at Mount Cook, a distance of 160 kms., (98miles). Fairlie Creek is 61 kms (36 miles) west of Timaru in the South Island of New Zealand. Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. Tourists went there to climb the mountain or to ski on the Tasman Glacier.
According to local newspapers Frank Rossiter "was one of the best four-in-hand drivers in New Zealand and a man of great nerve and experience."
Frank Rossiter is listed in the "Freeholders of New Zealand 1882"
Francis Rossiter - groom, Fairlie Creek, Geraldine
On the 4th November 1885, at Porters Pass in Canterbury, Frank Rossiter was witness to the wedding of Malcolm McLeod and Johina Bain. In 1888 he formed a partnership with Malcolm McLeod, and established a coach service taking passengers to Mount Cook. The firm was known as McLeod and Rossiter.
In the 1880's it took three days to go from Timaru to Mount Cook. The first day was by train from Timaru to Fairlie Creek. There were two trains daily., the first at 7.45am which arrived at 10.30am and the second at 4.00pm which arrived at 6.45pm. There were two hotels at Fairlie Creek of which one was the "Gladstone." On the second day the coach travelled from Fairlie Creek to Burke's Pass Hotel, a distance of 21 kms (13 miles), then to Tekapo Hotel for lunch and a change of horses., another 21 kms. Then it was on to the Pukaki Hotel, a distance of 48 kms (30miles) for an overnight stay. The third day was spent travelling from Pukaki to "The Hermitage", a distance of 64 kms, (40miles), stopping halfway at "The Rest" (Kuri Tapu) for lunch and a change of horses.
McLeod and Rossiter commenced operations in 1888 with one new coach which was "large and commodious". They soon expanded their equipment to include four covered in coaches, four wagonettes, and a number of buggies and gigs. Before long they had built up a reputation for conducting one of the most up-to-date coaching services in New Zealand.
Frank Rossiter died on 16th January 1894 after being kicked in the head by a horse. It is thought that he was born in England about 1854 and that he came to New Zealand about 1874. The names of his parents are not known. He was unmarried.
Frank Rossiter was buried at Burke's Pass 17th January 1894. Further reading -: "The Mount Cook Way" by Harry Wrigley
The Irish Interest Group of the Gold Coast and Albert Genealogical Society in Queensland Australia now have their bi-monthly newsletter on the "net' at -:
http://www.winshop.com.au/merv/gcags/irish
Rossiter - Tithe Defaulters- 1831 - Wexford
Surname - First Name - Church Parish - Civil Parish
ROSSITER Bridget - Nickerie - Duncormick
ROSSITER Francis - Ballindines - Carrick
ROSSITER Francis - Newbay - St.Peters
ROSSITER James - Drinagh - Drinagh
ROSSITER John - Ballyhogue - Ballyhoge
ROSSITER John - Blassknock - Taghmon
ROSSITER John - Taghmon - Taghmon
ROSSITER Joseph - Inch - Inch or Killilka
ROSSITER Martin - Coolaw - Taghmon
ROSSITER Michael - Rahingrany
ROSSITER Michael - Tinraheen - Killisk
ROSSITER Patrick - Waddington - Ballyconnick
ROSSITER Richard - Clonard - St.Peters
ROSSITER Robert - Johnstown - Duncormick or Mulrankin
ROSSITER Thomas - Waddingtown - Ballyconnick
ROSSITER Tobias - Newbawn - Newbawn
ROSSITER widow - Whitetown - Rathaspick
ROSSITER William - Ballycorboys - Killinick
ROSSITER William - Gibberpatrick - Duncormick
Patrick Rossiter The Unkown Warrior of the 1798 Rebellion
"Tis a grand sight surely," said the old man at my side, "a grand sight, indeed." There was wistfulness in the voice and eyes and a fierce pent-up emotion in the way he looked at the lines of marching youth, and I echoed his words of praise, because I, too, was stirred at what I saw from my lofty perch on the roadside in Wexford.
I had been cycling through the countryside of the Slaney when I came suddenly on a crowd of people lining the road and watching for the great procession to the Hill of Oulart. A long line of men approached as I got off my bike and clambered hastily to the high bank to get a better view - and my neighbours made room for me, too, in their kindly way - so that I saw them with my own eyes, the famed pikemen of Wexford and the horsemen that were the cavalry of the rebel divisions of old. 53
Today the men of Wexford are paying tribute to their great forbears, and wherever you go you will see and hear the names of all the leaders of that time. But the thought that just struck me as I watched the lines of marching pikemen and horsemen : "What of all those thousands of the rank and file of fighting men?"
Since boyhood I have read of '98 and thrilled at its story, and from my reading I have gathered the account of one whose soldiering was typical of many of his kind - the simple and gallant story of young Patrick Rossiter, rebel scout and courier.
A hundred years ago the exploits of Patrick Rossiter were told around the firesides of Wexford, but time has faded memories and traditions even on the banks of the once bloody Slaney, and it is only in the remote and lesser known paths of research that we may find mention of him now. He was 23 when the '98 Insurrection took place. When still a boy he entered the service of an officer in the local corps of Yeoman Cavalry, where he learnt some soldiering, although mostly his duties were those of personal servant and groomsman. He was an excellent horseman, and it is said that his master's favourite charger., a gentle well bred mare., preferred servant to master and actually followed him like a dog.
On the morning following the fateful skirmish at the Harrow which started the Insurrection - Whit Sunday morning, May 27 1798 - young Rossiter rode to the Insurgent camp on Oulart Hill, dressed in his master's uniform of a Yeomanry officer. That evening the Battle of Oulart took place, and Patrick Rossiter proved his worth at a dangerous moment when the well-trained British soldiery tended to overwhelm the disorganised insurgents. Some of these began to flee when they saw the steady advance of the British up the hillside. Confusion and panic set in, until Patrick Rossiter galloped amongst the fugitives and rallied them so well that they turned and won a very gallant victory.
From that brave beginning, Patrick Rossiter went on to perform deeds of even greater personal daring. He became a courier between the different rebel camps, and in that important capacity he lived through a period of peril and suffering unequalled by any, perhaps, in the whole campaign.
His uniform helped to carry him safely through the loyalist lines, but for that, again, he was frequently in danger from the famous sharp-shooting Shelmaliers of his own forces. Sometimes, in uniform, he boldly penetrated the enemy bivouacs and camps in search of information. Often he dressed in ordinary civilian clothes and roamed the countryside on his gallant mare, searching for stray units of Hessian and Briton, which he would attack with a hastily organised force.
His courage and resource once won him a single-handed, bloodless victory over a detachment of the detested Ancient Britons. One evening he was cantering towards an insurgent encampment near the village of Camolin. No thought was in his mind of an enemy force because the country side of North Wexford was completely in the hands of the insurgents. But suddenly on rounding a corner, only a short distance from Camolin, young Rossiter came upon a patrol of some twelve Ancient Britons advancing from Carnew.
The situation was precarious. Before he could check his horse he found himself in the midst of his foes. Instead of attempting to flee he boldly faced the soldiers and pretended that he was the leader of an insurgent force which had surrounded them. Standing high in his stirrups, he shouted loudly, as if to men concealed in the hedges around., "Boys! don't fire if they surrender." Then to the troopers., "Come on, men., down with your arms! Surrender and your lives will be spared."
In less than half an hour they found themselves in the insurgent camp at Camolin - prisoners of a bold young Wexford horseman.
The news of this exploit spread throughout Wexford and Patrick Rossiter's name became quite famous. Soon afterwards, however, he was seriously wounded in the thigh, and because he was unable to obtain skilled medical aid his wound became septic and he suffered greatly.
Despite this handicap he still bore himself in the saddle and went about his duties. Often, too, he joined in some skirmish with a vigour that belied his growing physical weakness from the septic wound.
The Battle of Hacketstown, on June 25, was his last engagement, and although frail and weak from suffering, he displayed the utmost courage against the enemy cavalry. In the thick of the fighting he was unhorsed and lay unheeded for some hours. That evening the insurgents retired towards Baltinglass and in the quietness of after-battle Patrick Rossiter lay prone upon the ground, his faithful horse grazing quietly beside him.
Suddenly, a Yeoman officer saw him and dashed forward with drawn pistol. Before he could fire young Rossiter raised himself desperately on one knee and discharged his musket into the officer's face. The soldiers turned on hearing the shot. Now, surely, the end had come to the gallant young Wexfordman. But, no., a merciful Providence succours the brave and with a supreme effort Rossiter mounted his horse and rode him straight for a huge ditch, which he cleared magnificently, therby cutting off pursuit.
Rossiter fought no more in his native land. His wounds were nursed in secret and when again he could stand by his own strength he managed to secure a passage to America. Rumour and tradition link his name with the Anglo-American War of 1812, and point to him as Lieut.Patrick Rossiter, of the American Army, who fell in battle against the English at New Orleans.
Such is the simple and gallant story of one of the "rank and file" of Wexford fighting men. Fitting that his name should live today in the pageantry on the Wexford battlefields and that he, too, with his ghostly comrades should hearken to the call - :
"For whom I marshall to-day The sad and splendid array Calling the lost to arise."
Written by Niall O'Neil Published in the "Irish Independent" 21 June 1938 MSS 22124 National Library of Ireland
If your parents didn't have children, then you won't either.
Merv Rossiter
merv@winshop.com.au
The Torquay, Devon, England, Rossiter Family
of
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
In the last three newsletters we have seen how three Rossiter brothers from Paignton in Devon came to New Zealand and Australia. In 1850 Peter Pillar ROSSITER went to Lyttleton in the South Island of New Zealand, then in 1854 Samuel ROSSITER went to Moonta in South Australia with his brother Edward. Edward ROSSITER went on to Rangiora which is also in the South Island of New Zealand.
In 1855 a cousin of the three brothers, Edward Rossiter from Torquay in Devon went to Adelaide in South Australia.
Edward Rossiter (1814 - 1863)
Edward's great grandfather, Richard ROSSITER came from Wexford, Ireland in about 1740 to Paignton, Devon, England and married Dorothy BEAVIS. They had six children from which two principal families evolved. One was headed by William ROSSITER, a gardener, of Paignton (born 1754) who married Sarah LONDON. They had ten children who were baptised in the catholic faith at Torre Abbey, near Paignton. The other family was headed by Edward ROSSITER, a stonemason, (b 1759), who married Mary ABBOTT, a protestant. Because of the religious difference this family moved to Abbey Road, Torquay. Edward and Mary had eight children. Their second child and eldest son Edward, (b 1786), married Mary WAKEHAM in 1809 and they had three children., our Edward, born 23 March 1814, and Richard and Mary.
Edward ROSSITER (b 1814) married Mary ann COOMBES in 1840 and they were blessed with six children, four daughters and two sons. Caroline was born at Torquay in 1843, Edward in 1844, Mary in 1846, Richard in 1848, and Francis in 1850. The sixth child, Ellen was born in Adelaide, Australia in 1857.
In the 1841 census for Tormoham (Torquay), Edward ROSSITER, a carpenter, and his wife Mary Ann are listed living at Swan Street, Torquay.
On the 24 January 1855, Edward and Mary Ann and their five children departed Plymouth, England on the "David Malcolm" and arrived at Adelaide, Australia, on the 30th April. 57 On arrival at Adelaide, the ROSSITER family established themselves firstly at Princes Street, then at Robert Street, and then at Carrington Street where Edward worked as a carpenter. Edward died at his Carrington Street residence on the 6th September 1863 and was buried at the West Terrace cemetery in Adelaide. The family moved to Moore Street in 1868 where Mary Ann became the proprietor of a shop until her death on 27 February 1890
The eldest child Caroline, married William Edward VILE in 1862, Edward married Elizabeth HOLMES in 1867., Mary married George HOWEin 1872 and Richard married Rebecca Jane SPENCE in 1875. It is not known what happened to Fra
