Norman Gough's Home Page

Given the importance of the royal forests, it is not surprising that many people were engaged in forestry. For example, several Goughs in the mid 16th century were linked with the name of Philip, Count of Pembroke and Montgomery, the King's Constable of the 13th C castle of St. Briavels and warden of the Forest of Dean. In 1634, claims made at the Eyre of the Forest of Dean, held at Gloucester Castle, included Warren Gough (Verdership prerequisites), Chinne Gough (Awre and Newham ) and Warren Gough (St. Briavels). An important function was to survey the forest and Warren Gough was part of a perambulation of the forest in May 1634; at the Swanimote Court in 1637 he is listed as: "Warren Goughe of Hewelsfield , esquire, Regarder , formerly elected". Three Goughs are listed for Hewelsfield at this time in probate records: George Gough, Alice Gough (14.7.1625) and Richard Goughe, gent. (27.4.1624). In 1656 the Swanimote Court held at Mitcheldean in the northern tip of the forest lists building carried out in or around the Forest of Dean, including "James Gough, gent. hath within the last two years past erected a new barn, and part of his dwelling house on his land , in the parish of Newland" and George Gough, gent. deceased (a verderer ), had erected one room of a house in the same parish." In 1667 the same James Gough was one of the signatees of a letter to Parliament representing the "Freeholders and inhabitants who claim the right of common within his Majesty's Forest of Dean" and a William Gough took part in the perambulation. On 11 June 1668 the same William Gough was appointed one of twelve regarders. In determining the bounds of the Woodwardship of Staunton, the route began "from the corner of Yoarkley Wall down by the side of the wall to White Croft, from thence along by Brockhollons to Pastorrhill a place where Mr. Gough lives ..." (Hart, 1995).

Of course, not even foresters could escape the draft in times of trouble: In Sept. 1606 men of Coleford were drafted into military service, including "John Goughe, gent. 2.p. (aged about 40, of the tallest stature fit to be a pykeman)". In 1609 a Richard Carpenter made a will and noted that Mr. [John] Goughe owed him 20s. In 1785, plans were made to build a workhouse in Coleford and William Gough was a member of the planning committee.

It is likely that the family persisted in this region, for the 1851 census lists for Coalway Road (presumably the Eastern section) a certain Joseph Gough (28), cordwainer of Newham-on-Severn (Hart 1983). It should not be thought that the complex ancient laws of the Forest of Dean have died. On the contrary, the Verderers' Court still meets ten times a year at Speech House near Cinderford. See The Royal Forest of Dean Family History Society.

References

Hart, C. (1983) Coleford: The History of a West Gloucestershire Forest Town, Alan Sutton Publishing.

Hart, C. (1995) The Forest of Dean - New History 1550-1818, Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd.