Col. Corwallis-West Family and Ruthin Castle

[msfitz]

I am interested in any stories about the family and any photographs. I am distantly related to this now defunct family. I know that the castle is now run as a commercial hotel and has retained some family portraits.
Cheers,
Ms Fitz

[ScouseBoy]

Contact the county archives and records office at Ruthin Gaol.

look it up on www.denbighshire.gov.uk   website, search for records office.

[wilcoxon]

http://theesotericcuriosa.blogspot.com/2009/12/edward-firecracker-patsy-cornwallis.html

Search Google Images for Corwallis West Ruthin, there are many results to have a look at.
The above is just one of them

[Jo Harding]

Hello misfitz,

There is a bit about this place and family in the book, "Grace and Favour" by Loelia Duchess of Westminster. She was married to Bendor, the nickname for the 2nd Duke of Westminster, and connected to the Cornwallis family I think.

The book seems to be shown as available on internet sites.

The castle has been run as an hotel for many years now. They have a reputation for their medieval banquets.

Jo.

[msfitz]

Thank you all very much.
The youngest daughter Constance was married to 'Bendor'. Loelia Ponsby was his second wife, and I will look into the book.
I will follow up with the other leads. The local referrals are very helpful.
Cheers,
Ms Fitz

[ScouseBoy]

I may be wrong,  but I have a feeling that Ruthin Castle may be owned by the local authority, but leased out as a hotel.     I guess that it is a listed building.  In Wales CADW  is the public body who have some responsibilty for overseeing Listed Buildings.

[msfitz]

I may be wrong,  but I have a feeling that Ruthin Castle may be owned by the local authority, but leased out as a hotel.     I guess that it is a listed building.  In Wales CADW  is the public body who have some responsibilty for overseeing Listed Buildings.

You could be correct - but it was owned by a family of German extraction I believe.
An American cousin stayed there some years ago.

[msfitz]

http://theesotericcuriosa.blogspot.com/2009/12/edward-firecracker-patsy-cornwallis.html

Search Google Images for Corwallis West Ruthin, there are many results to have a look at.
The above is just one of them

Yes I am aware of the scandal of Patsy and Tim Coates book about the matter. I know the family did alot of charitable works and lived at Ruthin while the children were small before establishing the London house. Col. Cornwallis-West was also in a serious car accident some time before his death and spent time at Ruthin convalescing.
It is stories like these which interest me.

[petli]

1857.  The Wests were supporters of prospective Liberal candidate James Maurice solicitor Ruthin. Alledgedly pressure ( Y Screw ) was applied to voters -pre secret ballot - by a supporter of the conservatives the Rev Edward Lowry Barnwell headmaster Ruthin School. Two stubborn voters resisted and were involved in case Regina versus Barnwell or Trehearn (sometimes Treherne) versus Barnwell held before three Law Lords. Letter from Wests agent Smith is in archives bemoaning fact that Trehearns lost case. eg ' I pitye poor Treaherne ' (sic) . Believe costs paid by Maurice and possibly Wests. Case was cited to stress the need for secret ballots in the extensive reports on the case ( Times etc ). Trehearn spent some time in debtors prison 1868/69 no doubt helped there by ramifications of case. He recovered thanks to family support.