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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Northumberland => Topic started by: Anydogsbody on Sunday 26 July 15 19:39 BST (UK)
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I'm planning a visit to the Blyth area sometime in the next few weeks and would like to visit the remains of Cowpen High House if possible.
I know it's on Front St, Bebside but would appreciate more accurate location details if anyone can help.
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Hi
Zoom in on this map, at the top centre look where it says 'BEBSIDE', Cowpen High House is to the left of it.
http://maps.nls.uk/view/101028711
claire
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Thanks Claire
Looking on Street View I can see an old building at that location which equates to the TR of "Street" and by a letter P. Is that it? Looks like there was more of a steading on the old map. I wonder if there is more to see up what is now Bebside Furnace Road.
Anyway, thanks for the help. I'll go and have a snoop.
Richard
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This shows the old map and the current aerial view, http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/sidebyside.cfm#zoom=17&lat=55.1271&lon=-1.5635&layers=171&right=BingHyb
Stan
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There is also the 1959 1:1250 O.S. Plan, which shows High House Farm, you will have to zoom out, https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/428002/581449/13/101329
Stan
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Thanks Stan. The buildings with the red pantile roofs look much older than building closest to Front St.
Any idea when these buildings were constructed?
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Anydogsbody, The title of your post caught my eye this afternoon. Cowpen High House - - High House Farm. I recall a Harry Harper who lived at the farm in the 1960s. He used to drink in the Bebside Inn, just down the road adjacent to the level crossing.
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Haven't come across that name before. My interest is in the Swan family who owned/worked the farm in the late 18th century and were my several greats grandparents.
How recently was the farm occupied? Can't have been much beyond the 1960s
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Anydogsbody, I cannot say when the farm was last worked/occupied. I left Blyth more than 50yrs ago. You may be correct in thinking that it was last occupied not much after the 1960s. There are some knowledgeable people on the Northumberland page in RootsChat, so someone will come up with the correct dates re the farm.
If you also have a look in Northumberland section here in Roots, there are several topics re Bebside, Cowpen, and Blyth.
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High House Farm, Bebside (Blyth)
The farm buildings were probably built in the later 18th century and are arranged around a rectangular yard. This is a Grade II Listed Building protected by law. http://www.keystothepast.info/Pages/pgDetail.aspx?PRN=N13296
Stan
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Useful Stan. Thanks very much. That date fits very well with when I think the farm was established by the Swans.
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Apparently called the HYDE PARK TREKKING CENTRE. See http://list.historicengland.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1041375
Stan
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I was born in Bebside colliery village (138 Front St, 1941) Authorities moved us out circa 1952,
on the closure of the pit, to Cowpen Estate ( from midden and earth closet to two flushing
toilets.)
One of my playmates was a Jimmie Liddle/Liddell, whose father lived in the farmhouse and
farmed the surrounding fields. The farm employed one hind.
I frequently stayed at the farm, with the gang, usually in a tent, near the cow biers.
I walked along Front St (previously named Front Row, Cowpen Row, Cowpen Lane)about 4 wks ago. The house that I now know as Cowpen High House still stands but in a ruined state.
Named Cowpen HH because it stood in the area of Cowpen, one of the 5 Townships that
comprised the parish of Horton. ( Bebside was another Township
of Horton, but Bebside colliery was sited within Cowpen Township, not Bebside Township)
You mentioned Errington Street, which in the day lead into the colliery yard. Previously named
West Row.
In my day Bebside Furnace* Rd was referred to as Furnace Lonnen. The "furnace" was a small
overspill community for miners. Farmer cultivated the fields between Furnace and colliery village.
* The renowned Bedlington Iron works had works on the Bebside bank of River Blyth, building railway locos, as well as on Bedlington side, producing railway lines.
Maps on Communities Northumberland showing Cowpen High House
Armstrong's 1769 http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/0068
Fryers 1820 http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/0071
Greenwood's 1828 http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/006972FS.htm
Michael
PS Oops... hamfisted me can only transmit the Greenwood map !
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Sadly this house went on fire last night, looked like it suffered quite a bit of damage in the fire & may have to be demolished, shame as it was a lovely looking house.
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Well, it didn't do that by accident! Thanks for letting me know. I was able to get some pictures of it so that's a small consolation.
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Are you still interested in the Swan family at Cowpen Nigh House? If so, I believe that Isobell Swan is my many times great grandmother also, but I have been unable to prove it because there are not adequate parish records in ANCESTRY. I have my ancestry traced back very accurately to a Jane Swan, whose grandmother's name was Isobell Swan, and who married a George Purvis at Norham on 29 July 1804, but cannot connect the two. The text attachment is the best I can do from the original word document.