The Poplars

[Almond Tree]

The Poplars, Elvaston Lane, Alvaston Lane, Derby, was built c1820.  It was a large house in extensive grounds and remained so until the 1950s when land was sold off for building.  I cannot find it on census until 1891.  Does anyone have any information on the house and its inhabitants or know of any maps?  John Hewitt Richardson was there on the 1891 census and after that Herbert Dagley-Smith and his family were in residence until it was sold around 1952.

[copperbeech5]

Hi,
Welcome to Rootschat!

I would suggest that you contact the Library nearest to the house that you are seeking.

I have found that most of the bigger libraries keep a fantastic archive of old maps, many in large scale showing fantastic detail of old properties.  The advantage is that they are also progressive, plotted over every 10 years or so.

If you can't get to the library, try emailing the Local History dept, they are usually most helpful.

Best wishes,
Copperbeech5

[Almond Tree]

Thanks very much - I'll try Derby Local Studies Library.

[danuslave]

Hi & welcome to RootsChat

Just to help identify the property for other people

1901 - Alvaston District 11

District Description

North East side of London Road from Commerce St to Alvaston Hotel, both sides of London Road from Alvaston Hotel to Elvaston Parish. Burnside St, ?? Lane, Hollis St, Cambridge St & Oxford St

also

Alveston St, Elvaston Lane & Field Lane - London Road (part of) 12 houses

The Enumerator's route (part)

Alvaston St - houses not numbered
Elvaston Lane
   Stocks Flatts Farm
   Woodbine Cottage
   houses 1-9
   Oak House
   private house
   The Croft
   2 private houses
   National Schools & School House
   The Walnuts
   The Poplars
   The Bothy to the Poplars
   Field Lane  1-8
   2 farm houses
   private house
   Hardhurst Farm

Linda

[danuslave]

1891 - RG12/2722/45/23

The Poplars, School Lane, Alvaston

I think you might have the resident's name the wrong way round.  He's listed as John R Hewitt - age 48  born Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Linda

Added - I would be interested to know what you find out   

[Almond Tree]

Thanks very much.  As a child I lived in one of the houses built in was what The Poplars grounds.  I knew the last residents in the house and they used to tell me stories of what life was like before their reduced circumstances.  Years later when I attempted to find more of the house's history I was surprised that so little was recorded, so I am aiming to write a short history of the house and family.  To date I have heard from four descendants and have been given copies of photographs (permission to share given).  It really was a story tied into the social history of the times with an ordinary working class family being in the right place at the right time of the industrial revolution, making a fortune and losing most of it within three generations.

[Almond Tree]

The Poplars.

[ZoeHB]

Hello Almond Tree,
I came across your post via a Google Search.

My grandparents owned the Poplars in the 70s and my parents owned the Cottage attached to the Poplars at that time also. 

Would be very interested to hear from you!

Regards,
Zoe

[Doc_Choc]

Hi Helen,

I've seen some information about your research on Alvaston - very impressive!!!

I have an interest in the property known as "The Grange" which fronts onto Shardlow Road and has Field Lane at the side. My Grand Aunt lived there 1947 - 1957.

Did you come across this property in your research of Alvaston? I can see John Riley Marsh lived there from 1855 onwards and John Briggs operated a farm there? I was wondering when and for whom the house was originally built... The modern address for the property is 68/70 Shardlow Road.

Cheers,

Mark.