Nat Gould

Ralph Adams 1843-1918

Southam Church

Ralph Adams was born on 9 April 1843 at Narrowdale in Alstonefield parish in Staffordshire, the son of George Adams 1802-1858 of Narrowdale and his wife nee Frances Oliver 1823-1910.

He took over the family farm at Narrowdale after his father died in 1858.

On 6 January 1876 he married Elizabeth Grant at Southam in Warwickshire. She was born in 1853, the daughter of William Grant of Southam and his wife nee Ann Massey. Her parents were married at Southam in 1851. Her father was a master baker born at Southam in 1830, and her mother was born in 1831 at Hopton in Derbyshire

Ralph and Elizabeth Adams had the following children, all born at Alstonefield:

George Adams. He was born in 1877.

Herbert Adams. He was born in 1880.

Tom Grant Adams. He was born in 1881. In 1911 he married Martha Bury. He died in 1971 aged 90 years.

Signature on 1911 Census Return

Albert Adams. He was born in 1883.

Ralph Adams. He was born in 1885.

Ada Annie Adams. She was born in 1887.

Florence Adams. She was born in 1890.

Their father Ralph Adams died on 21 December 1918 aged 75 years, and was buried at Alstonefield, where there is a gravestone inscribed to his memory and that of his wife.

He was a long-serving member of Alstonefield church choir, and a lamp was presented to the church to commemorate his outstanding service. A brass plate below the lamp is inscribed "To the Glory of God and in honoured memory of Ralph Adams of Narrowdale for 58 years 1860 to 1918 a member of this choir. This lamp was placed by members of his family Feb 1920."

His widow Elizabeth Adams died on 6 February 1934 aged 81 years, and was buried at Alstonefield.