Rows of tombstones stood erect in silence to the left and right, in front and behind, like a sea of the dead. Some were crumbled with the weathering of centuries, some were smooth marble with new black writing and laid with floral tributes. Most though, were overgrown and unkempt, for now even their mourners had joined them under the clay soil.

Tom, Nov 14 2013

 

Wander down the central path of Castle Bromwich Graveyard and on your left hand side, situated one row back from the path, you will find three graves commemorating members of the Rainbow family. I often wonder about the people buried in the graveyard. Who were they? What did they do? What was important to them? Who was important to them and who were they important to? For the last few years that’s what I have been trying to find out. It takes time, it takes effort and it is a never ending process which I add to over time, but slowly I am getting to know the people for whom Castle Bromwich Graveyard became their final resting place.

So, who were the Rainbow family? My starting point was their epitaphs:

 

In memory of GEORGE RAINBOW who died October 24th 1873 aged 57 years. Also ELIZABETH RAINBOW wife of the above who died March 8th 1891 aged 71 years.

In loving memory of EDWARD beloved husband of JANE RAINBOW who died on October 2nd 1908, aged 50 years. Also the above JANE RAINBOW died April 18th 1944, in her 88th year.

Sacred to the memory of SAMUEL RAINBOW entered into rest February 10th 1929, aged 41 years. Also ALBERT EDWARD RAINBOW entered into rest August 16th 1961, aged 78 years.

The family came to Castle Bromwich from Northamptonshire during the mid-nineteenth century.

George Rainbow was the third of nine known children born to Agricultural Labourer Thomas Rainbow and his wife Ann née Watson. He was baptised in Farthingstone on the 4th April 1816. He married Elizabeth Oliver on 26th June 1843 in St Giles Church, Northampton. Their first child, William Oliver, was born in Weedon in 1843. Shortly after his birth they moved to Castle Bromwich and their next child, James George, was born at Bacons End, followed by two other sons Peter Owen and Thomas John.

George was a wheel wright by profession. In the nineteenth century almost every village had a wheelwright for he was essential to the movement of goods by cart. Wheels kept things rolling from carriages of the wealthy to farm wagons, ox carts, and cannons. Designed to meet the stresses of unpaved roads, wheels were feats of good engineering and careful craftsmanship. Each element of a wooden wheel required different wood—elm for the hub, oak for the spokes, and ash for the rim (or felloes). The whole structure was held together by an iron tyre, heated in a fire to cause it to expand, and forced onto the wheel with hammers. Cooling it with water caused it to contract and hold the wheel together. Building a wheel required skills in carpentry and blacksmithing.

George died on 24th October 1873. He was buried in Castle Bromwich Graveyard four days later on 28th October. Following her husband’s death, Elizabeth moved to Walsall, the 1881 census showing her as the widowed head of the household living with her son, Peter Owen, a clock and watch maker. Elizabeth herself died in Walsall on 8th March 1891; her body was returned to Castle Bromwich and buried in the grave with her husband on 12th March.

George’s nephew, Edward also moved from Northamptonshire to Castle Bromwich. Edward was born on 22nd May 1858 in Tarthington, Northamptonshire. He was baptised on 12th December of the same year in Farthingstone. His father and mother, John and Elizabeth, moved to Castle Bromwich somewhere between 1871 and 1881, and Edward moved with them. The move was to prove fortuitous for Edward as he met and fell in love with Jane Messenger, marrying her in 1882. Jane was born on 9 November 1856 in Castle Bromwich, the daughter of Isaac Messenger and Jane Goldingay. The couple went on to have seven known children.

Edward worked for the railways as a Platelayer, but it was his hobby, bellringing, that was his passion. He started ringing at St Mary & St Margaret Church in 1889 and continued until his death on 2nd October 1908, 19 years later. Edward was buried in Castle Bromwich Graveyard on 5th October 1908. His wife, Jane, died on 18th April 1944 and was buried in the Castle Bromwich grave with her husband.

Two of the couple’s children are also buried in a grave in the churchyard, Samuel and Albert Edward. Samuel was born on 25th October 1887 and was baptised on Christmas Day that same year in St Mary & St Margaret Church. Like his father, he worked for the Railways, the 1911 census showing him employed as a Railway Clerk. On 16th November 1915 he enlisted with the Royal Marine Light Infantry and appears to have served with it throughout the war. He married Priscilla Coleman on 19th August 1919, but died just ten years later on 10th February 1929. He left behind his wife and three known children.

His brother, Albert Edward, was born on 18th May 1883 and baptised on 1st July in St Mary & St Margaret Church. He seems to have followed the family tradition and sought work with the Railways. The 1939 census shows him as still single, but incapacitated and living with his mother. He died on 16th August 1961 and was buried in the same grave as his brother.