Charles John Thomas Conolly Obituary in Bath at Prior to Now Trust

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Charles John Thomas Conolly

9/12/1818 - 2/9/1871

Text:

Obituary For Charles John Thomas Conolly

DEATH OF MR. C. J. T. CONOLLY, J.P.

The death of this gentleman, who was well-known
and esteemed, especially in Roman Catholic circles, in the neighbourhood, took place at his
residence, Cottles, Melksham, on Thursday week.

Though of late Mr. Conolly had been in failing health, his death was somewhat sudden, he having been down at dinner two days before.

The deceased gentleman was a deputy-lieutenant and a magistrate for Wilts and Somerset, but we believe that for some time he has not occupied a seat upon the bench in either county.

He served the office of High Sheriff of Wilts during 1868, the year of the general election. For a long period he was the owner and occupier of Midford Castle, near Bath, but of late he had resided at Cottles, near Melksham, the home for many years of the Blagdon Hale family.

The room in which the deceased gentleman died was draped in black, and fitted up as a temporary chapel, and mass was said there on Sunday by the Very Rev.
Monsignor Parfitt, his private chaplain.

On Monday afternoon the body was taken to the
chapel at Midford Castle (which was built by Mr. Conolly, is detached from the mansion,
and does not form part of the tenure of the present occupier of the Castle), where it remained during the night, a watch being kept over it till the morning.

The funeral took place at half-past ten on Tuesday morning, when mass was said by the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Clifford, Bishop of Clifton, assisted by the Very Rev. Canon Ronomi, V.G., and the Rev. J. Worsley,
of St. John the Evangelist's, Bath.

Monsignor Parfitt was also present, and the sermon was afterwards preached by the Very Rev. Monsignor Weld, of London.

The choir was composed of students from Prior Park College, with the Rev. Dr. Williams, the Principal of the institution. The chapel and sacristy were draped in black during the service.

The funeral cortege consisted of ten or a dozen carriages, and amongst the friends of the deceased
present were, Messrs. Charles and Gerard Clifton (relatives), Admiral Dobson, of Pulteney-street, Capt. Chichester, and Mr. A. H. English.

The funeral arrangements were under the direction of Mr. J. A. Spencer, of Pierrepont-street, Bath.