An American couple visited Nantwich to discover how their descendants had met their tragic deaths!
Russ Crockett and his wife Janet, from Utah, USA, visited the town’s museum to uncover the grisly past.
Russ had discovered he was a direct descendent of Roger Crockett, who was the licensee of the The Crown inn in Nantwich.
However, Crockett was murdered in an affray in the town in 1572, and his widow Bridgett died 11 years later in the fire which destroyed large parts of the town.
At that point, the Crocketts’ son Robert was licensee of the The Crown inn.
local historian and museum volunteer Andrew Lamberton helped Russ and his wife discover much of the background on the two events from displays and information held at the Pillory Street venue.
Andrew also took Russ and Janet on a guided tour of the town.
On arriving at Wood Street, where Roger had been murdered, the group stood for a while in the rain reflecting on the history of the place.
Roger was murdered as he sought to increase his property portfolio in the town, a strategy which brought him into conflict with the local establishment.
No one was convicted of the crime. The local legal structure for dealing with such events left something to be desired.
Contact Nantwich Museum on [email protected], call 01270 627104, visit www.nantwichmuseum.org.uk
(Pic: Russ Crockett and wife Janet, from Utah, at Nantwich museum)
Recent Comments