From The Huddersfield Chronicle and West Yorkshire Advertiser, 17 March 1866
VISIT OF A GIPSY QUEEN – DEATH IN THE CAMP
One of the topics and events which have been exciting attention in the town and district in the past week is the encampment at Moldgreen of an influential, wealthy and withal royal tribe of gipsies. There is no deception as to the genuineness of this tribe: their complacent manners, customs, gorgeous style of dress, peculiar and interesting features, and other characteristics, go to show that they are an itinerant race of semi-Egyptians. From time immemorial the Zingari or wandering tribes have been noted for their detestation of stone and brick buildings with slated roofs, and the boast of their patriarchs has ever been that they never “disgraced” themselves by sleeping under a “tiled” roof. Many of these itinerants are very wealthy, and the tribe which on Tuesday pitched its tent in Mr. John Poppleton’s field, behind the place where the old weighing machine formerly stood, is one of this stamp. No sooner was it known that gipsys [sic] had taken up their quarters in that locality than hundreds repaired thither in order to catch a glimpse of these singular creatures. On Tuesday no fewer than 700 persons visited the camp, and it is not too much to state that the courtesy of the new comers not only surpassed expectations, but would have done credit to the most superb society.
The party denominate themselves the “Queen Tribe of Epping Forest;” and the camp consists of six separate tents, on one of which–constructed of white canvass–is hoisted a red flag, on which a number of Moorish or Egyptian hieroglyphics are emblazoned, indicating the tent of the Queen of the tribe. This royal personage, on Tuesday evening, was very richly attired, and her jewels are said to be exceedingly costly. After a sojourn of five weeks at Halifax, the party’s next station as above stated, is at Moldgreen, whither they were brought by 16 fine horses.
The six tents are arranged on the upper side of the field, so that the occupants may be sheltered from the east winds, and at the same time command a full view of any person who enters the field. The tribe consists of eight families, sprung from one head, and are known as the Chillcott tribe, numbering about 50 individuals. The chief trade in which these migratory people embark is horse dealing; but they also engage in various branches of industry.
Early on Thursday morning the gipsy encampment was all astir, consequent on the death of the mother and grandmother of the tribe, who, singular to relate, attained the 78th year of her age on the day of her death. Mrs. Chillcott has lately suffered much from indisposition, and has been attended by several medical gentlemen, none of whom could persuade her to leave the tent. A few days prior to their removal from Halifax, the old lady improved, but on reaching Huddersfield on Tuesday, although able to move about, she found herself much weaker, and, notwithstanding every attention and kindness, expired shortly after 1 o’clock on Thursday morning, a few minutes before the arrival of Mr. Gardiner, surgeon, who had been sent for. Deceased retained possession of her faculties to the last, and expressed a wish to be buried among others of her relatives at Birkenhead, where it is proposed to inter the remains. The preparations for the funeral have been entrusted to Mr. Oldfield of Moldgreen. A most substantial coffin has been made from British oak, and is to be surmounted by a breast-plate of solid copper. As a token of respect to the memory of the deceased, the “Queen” lowered her flag, and members of the tribe attired themselves in sable garments.
This ‘Mrs. Chillcott’ was Ruth Boss or Boswell, the widow of John Chilcott, horse dealer. Her death certificate records that she died in Smithy Lane, Almondbury, Huddersfield, on 15 March 1866. The cause of death was ‘natural causes’. The informant is Sarah Lee, present at the death, who gives Smithy Lane as her address also. This could be Ruth’s daughter Union Chilcott or Lee who – in the 1861 census – calls herself ‘Sarah Lee’ rather than ‘Union’. Alternatively, it could be Sarah, the daughter of Union and Charles Lee: that is, Ruth’s granddaughter.
As the newspaper story records, Ruth had elected to be buried in the family grave in Birkenhead, Cheshire. This is in Flaybrick Cemetery where she shares a tomb with her son Charles Chilcott who died the year before her in 1865. Like many of “Borrow’s Gypsies”, their grave is marked by an impressive monument.
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