Chapel Build
To date I have come across remarkably little information on the dates of build of the Chapel. Firstly here is an entry from a book held by Gwent Archives.
The book is entitled “The Religious Census of 1851 A calendar of the returns relating to Wales”, Volume 1, Cardiff, University of Wales Press, 1976.
This appears to be at variance with the anniversary celebration of 1991 which was said to be the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Chapel for worship. Perhaps the build started in 1791 and completed in 1799?
We are told in one of Elizabeth Cooper’s handwritten histories that an infant daughter of Ann Rosser is buried beneath the Chapel near to the pulpit. However, due to being unable to find any burial records for Ann’s daughters we cannot know the date of this burial which would have pre-cursored the Chapel build.
There are other avenues that can be explored. There is a gravestone in a prime position near to the door of the Chapel that carries the following inscription – “Mary Cox widow of James Cox of Pensford Summersetshire died 4th Jan. 1810 aged 58 years. Thomas Lewis died 20th June 1904 aged 79 years.” It is recorded that Ann Rosser obtained some funding from people in the Bristol area as a result of her visits to New Room. Perhaps James Cox was one who part funded the Chapel? Perhaps we can have sight of his input with dates in the archives of New Room?
There is also a second gravestone nearby with the inscription “Elizabeth wife of Samuel Michael died Oct. 9th 1814 aged 30 years. Also Hannah, their daughter, died aged 6 years and Martha 16 months”. Again, this family may be close to Ann Rosser and associated with the Chapel build.
Update – September 2017
New Room does not appear to have any documentation on these issues.