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This poem, which was written by an anonymous (family?) author
shortly after the event, tells the story of the death of my
great great grandmother, Rose Mills.
The field path from Hampnett to Northleach can still be seen on
today's Ordnance Survey maps.
~~
In
ever loving memory of our dear Mother
Rose Hannah Mills
(of
Hampnett)
Who perished in a snow storm Nov 18th 1893
Aged 63 years.
~~
From
Hampnett, whence the Leach runs down
And
takes its way through Northleach town
Rose
Mills our mother ventured forth,
While
winter tempest swept the earth.
It
was a wild November day.
Fierce
north east wind tore on its way,
And
blinding snow and icy rain
Joined
in the rushing hurricane.
'To
Northleach I must go!' said Rose,
'Howe'er
it blows, or rains or snows,
Our
daily wants I must supply,
And
into town must go to buy.'
She
went, and battling, inch by inch,
The
storm from which she would not flinch
She
gained at length the place she sought
And
all she needed, quickly bought.
Then
in the early evening gloom
She
turned towards her cottage home.
The
stormed still raged, but cheered by hope,
She
feared not with its blasts to cope.
'I
battled down', she said,'and now
I'll
battle up, through wind and snow.'
Through
many storms she oft had pass'd
Nor
feared this one might be the last.
Yet
so it was, old paths were lost,
And
well known fields were vainly cross'd,
Till
all bewildered, blinded, chilled,
Rose
fell with heart forever stilled.
Now
in our green churchyard we lay
Her
mortal flesh, with kindred clay,
Trusting
her soul has gained that shore
Where
storms and suffering are no more.
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