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Ampney Crucis
A look at the past
- Ampney Crucis
gets its name from the river (Ampney Brook), a tributary of the Thames,
and the church (Church of the Holy Cross). The Old English Amma’s
Stream is probably derived from the Latin Amnis – a stream. By
1086 the village was known by its Latin name of Omenie; by 1100 – Amenel;
by 1215 - Ameney; and in 1287 Ameney Sancte Crucis.
The modern name of Ampney Crucis seems to have been in use since 1535,
however, one of our residents has a map of the area which has been
authenticated as being produced circa 1632 which still shows the village
as Holiroodeamney.
- We know the
Romans were at Ampney Crucis – there is evidence of a settlement greater
than 4 hectares in the village. In the 1780’s some workmen who were
digging up stone by the side of the London Road discovered an earthenware
urn. It contained burnt bones, ashes and some Roman coins of the lower
empire. The urn is now in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
- At the time
of The Doomsday Book,
Ampney Crucis was situated in the Garsdon Hundred. Holders of
the land include Thurstan, son of Rolf; Tovi; Humphrey the
Chamberlain; Alfwy; and Baldwin.
- Ampney Crucis
Church of the Holy Rood has the rare dedication of the Holy Cross and is
referred to in the Doomsday Book (1086) as the Church of Omenie Holy
Rood (rood being the Saxon for cross).
- Edward Daubeny ,
who lived in Ampney Crucis from 1829 was the brother of a famous
naturalist, Professor Charles Daubeny FRS, FGS, FLS. Before coming to
Ampney Crucis, Edward was a midshipman on H.M.S. Bellona and was wounded
in the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801. Roger F Vaughan has written an
article on Charles Daubeny.
- In 1844,
Edward’s daughter, Jane Daubeny, married an equally famous British
Naturalist, Leonard Jenyns, about whom Roger Vaughan has
also written .
- Here is the
touching story of the Browness family from Ottawa in Canada.
They have traced their family back to Mary Brawnus, who arrived in Ampney
Crucis from Oddington in 1784. Their web pages give a fascinating account
of their story and are well worth a read .
·
Gordon Beavington has painstakingly transcribed the Census for Ampney Crucis for
the years: 1851, 1861, and 1871, and also the 1851 Census
for Cirencester Workhouse which includes some Ampney Crucis residents.
- Ampney Crucis War Memorial - The
memorial is sited at the foot of the village, near to a bridge and within
site of the Crown of Crucis hotel.
Any more historic items or links ? Why not e-mail us ?
Last update: 25 July
2007