Elijah was born in Leintwardine the son of Thomas and Emma Gough (nee Williams). He was the 6th of 12 children.

 

Thomas Gough married Emma Williams in Ludlow on 23rd April 1857. Thomas was a stone mason as was his father, Richard, before him. Thomas was of 'full age' and Emma was 19 years at the time of their marriage. They were both living in Ludlow at the time.

 

Children

Richard Phillip 1858

Thirza Elizabeth 1859

Mary Ann 1861

Louisa 1863

Agnes 1865

Elijah 1867

George 1869

Ellen 1870

Thomas 1873

Herbert 1875

Edith Emma 1878

Cyril Clarke 1881

 

All of the male children followed their fathers profession and became Monumental Masons.

 

Thirza Elizabeth Gough married George Evans on 22 November 1897 in Knighton. Georges enters his profession as Mason although on the 1901 and 1911 censuses he is a bricklayer. George was a widower.

 

1891 census RG12 Piece 4585 Folio 12 Page 6

 

Elijah is with his brother Richard and his family. Who were at the time living in Leamington House, Temple Terrace, Llandrindod Wells.

 

Elijah married his first wife, Margaret Matilda Pugh in St. John's Church, Porthmadog on Monday 3rd August 1896.Margarets parents were Lewis & Ellen Pugh. Lewis' profession was a sawyer (someone who saws wood) Lewis Pugh married Ellen Jerman on 1 August 1862 in Llanidloes.

 

Elijah was aged 29 and Margaret was 22.

 

North Wales Express, 7 August 1896

On Monday, at St John's Church, there took place the marriage of Mr Elijah Gough, second son of Mr Thomas Gough, builder, Leintwardine, Herefordshire, and Miss Margaret Matilda Pugh, second daughter of! Mr Lewis Pugh, Swansea, and grand-daughter of the late Mr John Jerman, builder, Llanidloes. The Rev Llewelyn R. Hughes, M.A., the vicar,, officiated. The bride entered the Church leaning on the arm oft Mr Edward Humphreys, New street, her uncle, who gave her away. She was attended by Miss Florence Humphreys, her cousin, as bridesmaid. The bride wore a dress of electric blue cloth, with silk bodice to match, and white toque. The wedding breakfast was at 17. New street (Mr and Mrs Edward Humphreys's). The newly married couple left by the 10.45 am train for Shrewsbury, where the honeymoon will be spent. The presents were very numerous and valuable.

 

1901 Census RG13 Piece 5181 Folio 6 Page 4

 

Elijah is a Monumental Mason living at the Bridge Inn, Bridge Street. His wife's occupation is Inn Keeper. They have 3 children.

 

Olive Cecelia Geraldine 1897

Iris Vera May 1899

Trevor Loraine Sinclair 1900 (more can be seen on Trevor HERE)

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Shrewsbury Chronicle - 10th August 1900

URBAN COUNCIL. Wednesday. - Present:- Messrs J R Bache (chairman), Edward Oldbury, Joseph Blower, W James, Edward Tudge, T B Dove, W Williams and T Stephens.

            The Clerk read the minutes of a Fire Brigade Commission meeting held on the 18th July,  With reference to the member of the brigade who is on garrison duty in Ireland, the committee recommended that his place be offered to Mr Elijah Gough. - The Council adopted the recommendations of the committee, and the Clerk reported that Mr Gough had agreed to become a member of the brigade.

 

1901 Kelley's directory

Gough Elijah, Beer retailer Bridge Street & Stone mason West Street, Knighton

 

Soon after the 1901 census was taken Elijah moved his family to the Red Lion in West Street.

 

In 1903 they had another son Vivian Reginald.

 

In 1907 Elijah produced the Headstone for Richard Morgan Butler, Master of Knighton workhouse who was killed in a gas explosion at the workhouse in that year. Image can be seen here

 

Sadly on 4th December 1908 Margaret Matilda died. She was buried in Knighton Old Cemetery on 7th December. She was 34 years old.

 

On 18th August 1909 Elijah married Elizabeth Wozencroft in Whitton Parish Church after Banns. The Banns were read on 1st, 8th and 15th of August.. This was the first marriage for Elizabeth although she had given birth to an illegitimate daughter, Harriet in 1891. Elizabeth's profession was as a nurse.

 

1910 Kelley's Directory

Red Lion hotel, Elijah Gough, West Street, Knighton

 

1911 Census RG14PN33651 RG78PN1940 RD613 SD2 ED1 SN123

 

Elijah is now the Inn Keeper of the Red Lion as well as running a Monumental Mason business in West Street.

 

Elijah & Elizabeth are at the Red Lion with the children. Olive 14, Iris 12, Trevor 11, Vivian 7 and Elijah's step daughter Harriet 20

 

Over the next few years Elijah added to their family with a further 2 children. Dennis Roland in 1912 and Alec V in 1913

 

In December 1921 Elijah declared himself bankrupt

 

The London Gazette

Publication date: 9 December 1921

Issue:32544

Page:10068

 

No. 3,225. GOUGH, Elijah, The Red Lion Hotel, Knighton, in the county of Radnor. HOTEL KEEPER and MONUMENTAL MASON.

Court—LEOMINSTER.

Date of Filing Petition—Dec. 5, 1921.

No. of Matter—9 of 1921.

Date of Receiving Order—Dec. 5, 1921.

No. of Receiving Order—7.

Whether Debtor's or Creditor's Petition—Debtor's.

 

The London Gazette

Publication date: 10 March 1922

Issue: 32635

Page: 2120

 

No. 32635 GOUGH, Elijah, Red Lion Hotel, Knighton, in the county of Radnorshire. HOTEL KEEPER and MONUMENTAL MASON.

Court-LEOMINSTER.

No. of Matter—9 of 1921.

Last Day for Receiving Proofs—March 25, 1922.

Name of Trustee and Address—Scobie, M. J. G.

 

Which part of his business he declared bankrupt is not known but in 1923 he is still included in the Kelly's Directory.

 

In 1921 Elijah produced the war memorial for Whitton, Radnorshire, from plans produced by Mr Herbert Luck North of Llanfairfechan, Caernarvonshire.

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1923 Kelley's Directory

Gough, Elijah, stone and marble mason, West Street, Knighton

 

Elijah died on 2nd May 1937 aged 69 years His address was Bridge Street. He was buried with his first wife, Margaret Matilda, on 5th May 1937.

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Kington Times - 15th May 1937

LATE  MR. E. GOUGH

                The funeral took place on Wednesday of last week of Mr. Elijah Gough, whose death occurred on the previous Sunday, on his 70th birthday.  Mr. Gough. who came of a Leintwardine family, had resided in Knighton for many years and was well known and respected.

                He had been a member of the Town Band for many years. The funeral service was conducted by Canon T. S. P. Griffith (vicar of Knighton), assisted by the Rev. T. K. Brunsdon (curate) and the Rev. J. Hayes, of Much Dewchurch.  During the service in St. Edward's Church the hymns, "jesu, Lover of my Soul"  and "On the resurrection morning" were sung,  accompanied by Lt -Comdr. H. J. Bray on the organ, and other suitable selections of music were played.

                The attendance included the widow, Messrs. R. and A. Gough (sons), Mrs. Kay (daughter), Mr. G Gough, Ludlow, and Mr. T. Gough, Leintwardine (brothers), Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Leintwardine (nephew and niece), Mr. and Mrs G. Monnington. Knighton (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mr. Scandrett, Llandrindod Wells, Messrs. E. J. Outrim, L. H. Brokensha, J. J. Edwards, and a number of other townspeople.  Owing to the breakdown of a car, some nephews and nieces from Llandrindod Wells were prevented from attending.

                 Among the numerous wreaths was one from the Knighton Town Band.

 

This must have been a sad time for Elizabeth, for in June of the same year she also lost her son Dennis.

 

Elizabeth lived to the age of 87 years. She died on 30 November 1954 and was living at 4 Frydd Terrace. Elizabeth is buried with her son Dennis who died on 20th June 1937 aged 25 years The family were then living in Bridge Street. They are both buried in Knighton Old Cemetery. Denis was buried on 23th June 1937 and Elizabeth was buried on 3 of December 1954.