In the early 1990s my aunt and I had the pleasure of meeting Rosie (Rose) Frost, and other Heath descendants, at a talk given by the late John Levitt, on George Heath The Moorland Poet. The event was held at Horton Village Hall, formerly St Michael's School Horton.
John Levitt's papers are now held in Staffordshire Archives.
After the talk there was an opportunity for us to talk to Rose Frost, Gladys Winifred Oliver formerly Heath, (who supplied a lot of information to Heath researchers), along with her two nephews, George Heath and John Clifford Heath all sadly deceased. Also another relative Nora Proctor
was at the meeting, and has been to several reunions since, she also shared a vast amount of information on the Heath family and is now sadly deceased.
She hoped the original letter would be looked after and stayed with the book. Rose's wish was to let people who were related to have a copy of the letter, and to do our own research, on the information given, and to send copies to other members of the family, who would appreciate the letter in itself.
Rose showed us and Mr Levitt the copy of the letter to Miss Heath and all of us exchanged names and addresses. Rose told us the original copy of the letter was kept with the first edition of George Heath's poems, which she dearly treasured. Rose had inherited these items from her aunts, Lavinah Heath and Rose Heath. George's book of poems had inspired Rose's aunts to visit Horton Church to see the young poet's grave. They also wished to find someone who could give them more details of his life and family. Rose's aunts received the above letter from Walter Heath dated the 10/10/1965.
Rosie's (Rose) father was John Heath. Some of his sisters were born around and buried at Horton and they also lived at Uttoxeter Staffordshire.
A few days later I received a copy of the above letter. Over the years I have photocopied the letter and posted to other Heath researchers.
Rosie Frost (Heath born 28 April 1919. In 1939 Rosie was living 49 Picton Street Leek U.D. Occupation, Silk Warehouse Worker. Rosie married Arthur Frost, 1940, at Leek (Mount Pleasant) Methodist Church. Died July 2003 Stafford.
1939 Bramshall Road, Uttoxeter U.D.
Annie Heath born 24th January 1872, Retired Shopkeeper (Ladies) Outfitter, Single
Lavinah Heath born 31st December 1875, Secretary Business, Single
Harriet Heath born 21st July, Retired Shopkeeper (Ladies) Outfitters, Single
Rose E Heath born 16th April 1882, Unpaid Domestic Duties, Single
Walter Heath born 29th September 1884, was in 1939 living with his wife Mary and son Norman B Heath, at Smithy Cottage Leek R.D. Occupation, Builder.
February 1930 Walter Heath had been involved in a Steam Wagon accident.
The story is to be found on contents on this site, Steam Wagon Driver Killed.
Walter Heath died 1981 Staffordshire Moorlands.
Copyright Denise E Johnson. 23rd July 2016