Richard Rothwell Daglish - New Romney, Kent

This week I took the opportunity to visit New Romney in Kent, the adopted home of Richard Rothwell Daglish. New Romney was one of the original Cinque Ports (with Hastings, Hythe, Dover and Sandwich), and has a long and interesting history.

Richard was born in Wigan, Lancashire, in 1841, the son of Robert Daglish and Rebecca Rothwell. He studied medicine and in 1864 was admitted as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons.

In 1866 he married Laura Stringer, daugher of a lawyer from New Romney. They had one son, Harry Rothwell Daglish.

Richard retired in 1906 and died on 23 April 1908. His son Harry died in 1910 and his wife Laura died in 1915. The family are buried in the graveyard of the parish church, St. Nicholas.


Inside the church is a brass plate which reads:


To the glory of God and in loving memory of Richard Rothwell Daglish, the chamber was built and the machines for blowing the organ constructed at the expense of his widow Laura Daglish, July 15 1910. Also the glory of God and in fond remembrance of Harry Rothwell Daglish, son of the above, this Church was endowed in the sum of one thousand Pounds for the preservation of the organ under the Will of Laura Daglish, who passed away beloved by all January 25 1915.

Richard was mayor of New Romney four times (1885-87, 1888-89, 1894-96 and 1905-08) and was also Speaker of the Confederation of the Cinque Ports twice (1888-89 and 1895-96).

In West Street, there is an inscription on some cottages that were left by John Southland in 1610 as a hospital for the elderly.

This reads:
This Hospital being the gift of John Southland Gent: Anno 1610 was rebuilt at ye charge of Sr Robt. Austen and Sr Heny. Furneses Bar's Anno 1714
And was further endowed by Thomas Baker Gentleman Anno 1734 and by Richard Rothwell Daglish M.R.C.S. Anno 1908

The Daglish name is further commemorated in the town by a road named Daglish Close - unfortunately when we saw it the road sign was damaged.

The Wigan Daglish family, which had interests in coal mining and engineering, has been extensively researched over many years by Richard Daglish. The family moved to Lancashire from Northumberland at the beginning of the 19th century. Richard has provided me with much help, support and encouragement during the much shorter time that I have been researching into Daglish family history. Richard is a member of the Daglish DNA Study.