Draft document re Walter Raleigh Gilbert 1897

Draft document May 1897 re Walter Raleigh Gilbert and others.

On the hill, which dominates Bodmin, is the Raleigh-Gilbert monument. The Gilbert family were squires of Bodmin and lived in Priory House which is now a Council office. The Raleigh- Gilberts were descendants of Sir Walter Raleigh, the colonist who brought us tobacco and potatoes, and Sir Humphrey Gilbert who discovered Newfoundland. Lt.Gen Sir Walter Raleigh-Gilbert distinguished himself in the Sikh wars and the family raised the monument in 1857 to commemorate his achievements. It is built with Cornish Granite and is 144 feet high. The surrounding area is called the Beacon and is 17.5 acres of public land from which both coasts of Cornwall can be seen on clear days.