Descendants of Bridgnorth doctor who died over a century ago will come together in town next week
The descendants of a doctor who took his own life in 1908 and is said to haunt a building in Bridgnorth to this day are coming to town for a family reunion.
William Rhodes and his wife Ellen came to the Shropshire market town from Dudley to set up a doctor’s surgery in Northgate House in 1881.
But Dr Rhodes died on September 10, 1908 taking his own life at the age of 55. His death certificate suggests he “killed himself by drinking carbolic acid when of unsound mind”.
Newspaper reports from the time say that William was found dead in his dressing room at Northgate House by his son Edward, who was qualifying as a doctor. Dr Rhodes was later buried at St Leonard’s Church in the town.
However, William's spirit is said to still haunt Northgate House on the High Street, which is now a Grade II listed building.
