AYLOTT - Clay End - Walkern

[SAM100]

Hi,
My ancestors, Samuel Aylott and family are listed in the 1841 census as living at Clay End, Walkern. Unfortunately it does not list their occupation.

I have "googled" Clay End but there is no information as to whether it is a village and google maps show it in the middle of a field.

I understand that there was a public house there in the 19th century. Was Clay End a village?

I would be grateful to anyone who could enlighten me as to what possible type of work my ancestors were involved in.......perhaps farm work.

Thank you

[charlotteCH]

Hi Sam,
Are they in 1851 and subsequent census?   This may give occupoation...

charlotte

[SAM100]

Hi Charlotte,

Have just found them in the 1861 census and Samuel Aylott's occupation is listed as gardener.

Thanks

[charlotteCH]

Sam, was he a gardener at a "big" house... ie in the employ of some rich person nearby?

[SAM100]

Hi Charlotte,
A definite possibility as his address in the 1861 census is  Clay Hall Cottage, Village Rd, Walkern.
Would this suggest to you that the "big house" is called Clay Hall or would cottages have their own individual names?
Cheers

[charlotteCH]

Witout any knowledge of the exact situation I'd say it's a possibilty that a  big house, Clay Hall,  was involved. 

maybe there are two ways of chasing this...
 can you look at the rest of the census entries for nearby and see if there is a big house and/or lots of servants living there or nearby? Is there only one Clay Cottage or a row of them?  etc

an other alternative might be to google "Clay Hall" and see what comes up- &/or to email the Local Studies Library nearest to Walkern and ask them if there is a Clay Hall etc...
charlotte

[millerina]

I'm sure I have heard somewhere (can't remember where though, so might well be wrong!) that Clay Hall was the original name for Walkern Hall, which is right next to Clay End. Clay End is tiny, much smaller than a village, so possibly it would be classed as a hamlet?

www.old-maps.co.uk  - search using the coordinates 530500, 225200 for an 1884 map of clay end and Walkern Hall

Hope this helps!
millerina 

[SAM100]

Good Morning Charlotte and Millerina,
My thanks to you both for some wonderful advice

Charlotte - I went back to the 1851 census and found the "big house".
It was called Clay Hall and I have found people listed with occupations such as bailiff, groom, cook, laundress, agricultural labourer etc.,. Excellent advice to search for the associated people in the census. Many thanks

Millerina - My thanks for the link to the old maps

Regards
Sam

[charlotteCH]

Hi Sam, Sounds good and that you are making real progress.... I'll bet there are pics of Clay Hall and probably copies of these are at the nearest Local Studies Library to where it was...
Keep us posted.

charlotte