THE ROSE TREE 



Rogers, owner of the property and incidentally of the Rose Tree Inn ; and 

 George W. Hill and William H. Corlies, Trustees for the Rose Tree Fox 

 Hunting Club, dated April 23rd, 1881, which stipulated that the Club 

 should have the privilege, at its ovm cost, to erect a clubhouse for its enjoy- 

 ment for the term of fifteen years from that day; at the end of which time 

 the house was to become the property of Mr. Rogers, and the Club could 

 then give it up or become tenants, the Club reserving the right to remove 

 the house at any time during the term, by paying to Mr. Rogers the sum of 

 one hundred dollars for each year his ground had been occupied by it. The 

 most friendly relationship always existed between Mr. Rogers and his family 

 and the Club members, and the suppers supplied monthly at the regular 

 meeting nights were invariably satisfactory to the members and their nu- 

 merous guests. The clubhouse was plainly finished in yellow pine, the 

 lower story being a banqueting-room and the upper story containing bed- 

 rooms for the convenience of guests. 



In 1905, some time after the death of Mr. Rogers, who was affec- 

 tionately and familiarly knowTi as " Uncle Benny," it was decided to secure 

 more commodious quarters. Largely through the efforts of General Morrell, 

 the large farm adjoining the old clubhouse, on which were situated an old 

 fashioned stone mansion, and a large barn, and out-buildmgs, was purchased. 

 The house was altered and adapted for club purposes, stabling accommoda- 

 tions increased and new kennels built. 



Any history of the Rose Tree Hunt would be incomplete without a 

 sketch of Mr. George W. Hill, who held the Mastership from October 1 st, 

 1 873, up to the time of his death on March 30th, 1 900. Mr. Hill was 

 bom in the old borough of Chester in the year 1 825. During his early youth 

 he lived at Rockdale, and when he was about sixteen years old began his 

 fox-hunting with the late Mark Pennell, who has been previously mentioned. 

 He hunted actively with the Rose Tree Club hounds until about two years 

 before his death, when he was badly disabled by a fall in the hunting-field. 

 In spite of this, however, he tried to hunt again during the winter of 1 898— 

 1 899 and, although much shattered in health, took an active interest in the 

 management of the hounds until the end. He was highly esteemed by all 



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