Romans are also believed to have once inhabited Stonehouse.
I was very interested to read about the hoard of Roman coins found in Somerset which was in the news earlier this week. A similar hoard was found in Plymouth in 1894. A crock of Roman coins was discovered at Compton Giffard containing a thousand coins all dating from before AD 280. The British Museum suggested that it could have been part of a Roman pay chest for a legion stationed in the area. Romans are also believed to have once inhabited Stonehouse. The area carried the name Stonehouse even in Saxon times and it is believed that it was named after a ruin in the area that only the Romans could have built. Unfortunately, this ruin is now long gone.
In 1882, a Roman crematorium was discovered at Newport Street just below Stonehouse Bridge. It contained small tombs, about four feet by two feet, containing human bones and ashes. Unfortunately, it has all long since been destroyed. Evidence also suggests the existence of Romans inhabiting the area in the street name at St Budeaux, ‘Roman Way’. Roman Way was originally called ‘Old Wall’s Lane’ which suggests an ancient occupation. A Roman signal station was believed to have once stood on the hill there and soapwort, which was used by the Romans for medicine, has been found growing nearby. Soapwort is usually only found in this country on the site of an old settlement.
Other evidence also points to the existence of Romans in the area. A galley was said to have been found at Newnham and Roman coins and pottery have been found at Mount Batten. In 1888, a large hoard of Roman coins were found at Stamford in Plymstock. Also a bronze figure of Mercury was found at Hooe. There have been no reports of further hoards being found in Plymouth but I’ve no doubt that they probably exist.
The Ridgeway at Plympton has long been believed to be part of a Roman road. It is recorded in 1281 as Ryggeseweystrete and the strete part of its name suggests a Roman link. Records also exist of the discovery of early camps near Crownhill although these may have been British.
I have heard of Roman coins being discovered in the Plym and at Whitleigh, Torr and Millbay but these are few and far between. I’d be very interested to hear of any other finds in and around the city.
Plymouth local history: In Search of Romans