Ruth Tromans was one of the original five Trustees of the Workers’ Institute, but unlike the other trustees, and despite considerable research, we still know very little about her.
We do not know her date of birth, but have a possible date for her death. We know that she was a chainmaker, but nothing of the circumstances that led her to accept the position of Trustee of the Institute alongside Mary Macarthur, Gertrude Tuckwell, Thomas Sitch and James Joseph Mallon, all of whom were well known trade union leaders and social reformers. We are hoping that by sharing what little we know, and what we suspect might be the case, someone might recognise her and be able to help us solve the mystery.
We have Ruth’s signature on the original deeds to the Institute, and we know from a letter written in 1931 that she was living at 2 Hayseech, Old Hill. We also know that on her letter of resignation from the Trustees in 1932 she signed herself ‘Miss Ruth Tromans’ and was, therefore, still unmarried at that time.
A search of the 1901 census revealed that eight people with the name Ruth Tromans were living in the civil parish of Rowley Regis at the time. Only one of these women could be ruled out of being ‘our’ Ruth Tromans with any certainty. She was recorded as being 82 in 1901 and, therefore, highly unlikely to still be alive in 1932.
Of the other women who were found in the census, one person stands out as being the most likely candidate. This Ruth Tromans was 36 in 1901 and living at 18 Plant Street in Cradley Heath. She is listed as being a chainmaker and spinster, ‘head’ of the household, with two other women recorded as living at the property as ‘boarders’. They were Annie Oldacre, aged 28, and Edith Bate, aged 27, both of them chainmakers. A local 1904 trade directory confirms that this Ruth Tromans was a chainmaker and living at 18 Plant Street.
This could be the same Ruth Tromans, who died in August 1936. We found the following obituary in the County Express, Saturday 5th September:
“The funeral took place on Wednesday of Ruth Tromans, one of the oldest members of the Graingers Lane Primitive Methodist Church. The service was conducted by Mr H Ashmore of the Tabernacle, Old Hill in Graingers Lane Church before internment at St Luke’s. There was a large gathering of trustees, officials, leaders, members and friends including Messrs. Caleb Woodhouse, J Poole (secretary), N Parkes (leader). She was a lifelong member of the church and Sunday school of which her father Reuben Tromans was a prominent official and worker. She had a kindly disposition and lovable nature which endeared her to everyone she met. Her religion found practical expression in practical helpfulness and was unweary in her service and a generous giver. She had a sweet and beautiful life and was an inspiration to all whose main avenues of her service were the fellowship of the home and the church, for the worship of God was paramount in her life.”
We also found an entry in Wills and Admons 1936 in Birmingham Library. Details of the will are as follows: Ruth Tromans, recorded as living at 2,Hayseech, Old Hill, Staffordshire, died, spinster, 30.8.1936. Probate, Birmingham 30.9.1936 to Arthur Dunn (labourer) and Heber Ashmore (works’ manager). Effects £181 14s 9d
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| Reference: | 760 |
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| Updated: | Thu 26 Jun 2008 - 0 |
| Interpretation written by | Barbara Harris |
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