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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Essex => Topic started by: j147 on Wednesday 30 March 05 16:00 BST (UK)
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Has anyone got any new or old photos of Lexden Village, Colchester, Essex in digital form - or know of any websites containing some ?? I'm trying to visualise the changing nature of the village that my family were from! I'm particularly interested in Church Lane (Heath Road end) where my family lived and owned some properties/land (my great-grandfather sold some of his land on Church Lane to 'Tweeds' garage, perhaps the site of the now closed Murco filling station ??); Nelson Road (where the family firm built some houses) and Straight Road (where they had their business premises - 'Beaumonts'). Any information about the Clarke / Turrall-Clarke and Beaumont families around 1800-1920 much appreciated.
Thanks
Tony
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Unfortunately....no photos, but if you can find any, I should be able to identify them for you.
Dare I say it.....this is my old 'stamping' ground.......I lived on Straight Road (the other end of Heath Road), my Grandparents lived not far from Nelson Road, my first wife lived just off Church Lane, and the whole area was my route to the Pub and School (not necessarily in that order).....I even used to fill up my motorcycle at the Murco Garage....I knew the Tweeds, but I don't think they were the same generation that ran the garage!
I can recall a small builders' premises on Straight Road almost opposite the Star PH, but there were several builders in the area.
My Grandparents and probably my parents (just) knew 'Beaumonts' (one was a Hairdresser)
I can probably find one or two photos of the type of houses they built in Nelson Road, but there was a mix of council and private homes there.....I will have only council types.
I may have an OS map of the area if I haven't chucked it out.....if you have one you can PM / email it to me and I will highlight bits for you.
The chances are though, we are the same age and you can remember as much as I can!
Al.
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Thanks for the reply - it was interesting to read about your experiences of the village. Your offer is appreciated - i'll let you know when I get some photos that I need help with.
It's kind of frustrating, this research, in that I was told much of what I now want to know when I was a kid, 30ish years ago, by my grandfather who was born in Lexden and only moved to Derby two years before I was born. Unfortunately I was too young to remember stuff and my interest has only been stirred since he died. Guess he was right when he used to tell me to pay more attention lol
Tony
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Tony, Just to keep you on sort of the right track when you are researching....
Yes, you are right that the Murco Garage was at the Church Lane end of Heath Road, but Tweeds Garage was about a mile away, on the corner of Straight Road and Lexden Road / London Road. The last I knew it was a supermarket....I'll check the next time I pass.
In fact, it virtually butted up to Nelson Road, also on Lexden Road / London Road.....both Tweeds and Nelson Road were very much nearer to the Star PH and the probable builders yard, than they were to Heath Road.
I can add at least another ten years local knowledge to yours and I can picture the whole area as I remember when I was a kid......I'll even take a guess that the builders were also funeral directors...there was a tin shed which served as a chapel I think, right next to them.
I can't find my map.....but I may find something else in Whites.
Al.
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Al, thanks for the useful info - you're helping to fill in the (sizeable) gaps!
A very kind lady from another forum went to the trouble of taking some photos for me and as a result I am 100% certain that the old Murco site is on part of land owned by my g-g-grandfather (I believe at one time his own house was on this site too).
The only actual fact that I have about Tweeds is that my g-grandfather sold them some of one of his pieces of land. It was my assumption that this was the same land as the Murco site, but your info shows this to be wrong.
It does kind of make sense that the family would have land backing up to Nelson Road. The problem in trying to trace this stuff is that they appear to have had a variety of bits of land all over the place lol
I've never heard any mention of funeral directors in the family, but I guess it's possible - certainly carpentry is a useful skill in making coffins and Beaumonts had a Carpenters yard on Straight Road around 100 years ago (my g-grandfather's speciality was wood panelling in the houses that they built). However, my understanding (from childhood conversations with my grandfather) was that the building firm was sold to a national firm (possibly between 1940 - 1950). Perhaps the yard was then used by another firm who were also funeral directors. Much of this is pure guesswork.
Again, thanks for your help.
Tony
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Tony....If you post the photos I am certain I will be able to tell you if it is the Murco site or Tweeds' site.
I can still picture the Tweeds garage on the corner of Straight Road / London Road....on the opposite corner (in the 50's) was Saberton's butchers shop....Saberton himself lived on Straight Road just up from the shop, virtually right next to the builders yard.
For the life of me, I cannot remember the name of the builders, but in the area, were Huttons, Cadmans, Hills and various others.
Just round the corner from Straight Road, on the London Road (towards Colchester) was a hairdresser by the name of (I think) Roy Beaumont.
I have a poor resolution copy of a map of Lexden Heath (before all the housing started) 1800's at a guess ( I won't post it here....copyright) but you can get the same from a Google search....it shows roughly where the yard was and the chapel...also Tweeds site.
I have Whites Directory 1848 and it shows a number of Beaumonts in and around Colchester of varied professions. I will try to copy the relevant pages (by print then scan it seems)....when I have them in a useful form, I'll let you know.....either that or I will note the names etc in a new post.
Al.
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Al, your local knowledge is really helpful. With regards to the photos, thanks for the offer - but the lady who took them has confirmed that they are of the Murco site. This is confirmed by the fact that site is next to Ark Veterinary Centre who recently submitted plans for apartments and car parkings for their surgery on this land (the site was described as "The force Murco site" in the planning app).
My Mum is 100% certain that my g-grandfather sold some land to Tweeds for a garage (she remembers the garage being on the land, but is a little hazy as to exactly which plot of their land it was on - it was, of course, a long time ago). Thanks to your help I now know it wasn't the plot on Church Lane/Heath Road corner (presumably that is more recent - i.e. long after the Clarke branch of the family sold the last of their land).
I've already got a copy of the crappy old map too, but some of the detailing is a bit difficult to make out. I'm now trying to figure out where the plot that you mention as being Tweeds is on the current A-Z map that I have. I am assuming that it is between London Road and The Chase, perhaps near to where there is a church/chapel indicated ? Am I getting this right ??
I've not seen Whites 1848, but I have viewed the Kellys and PO Directories for 1874, 1882, 1894, 1902 and 1914 (they are available free online at historicaldirectories DOT org. I have managed to extract some information from these, but most is unspecific. Coupled with Census information I know where some of my ancestors resided, but obviously this doesn't give the full picture of land that they owned but didn't live on. I have identified No. 13 Church Lane as being one Clarke family member's residence, which I assume is on the site occupied by the old Murco garage (I can find no reference to a No. 13 on either the electoral roll or directory enquiries, so I presume this house was knocked down). There were also several others on Church Lane, but neither the census or directories give house numbers. For the Beaumont side (the business of "Beaumonts" was a partnership between various Clarkes - joiners & carpenters - and Beaumonts - builders & bricklayers), I have established the street, but again not the number. I also have No 22 London Road and 72 Lexden Street as Beaumont residences at various times. After 1914 though I have no confirmed house numbers - just the street names and reference to Tweeds garage.
If the hairdresser was born in Lexden then I would say it is fair to assume that he was a relative - my grandfather said once that all the Clarkes and all the Beaumonts in the village were related (as with many old villages, there appears to have been much intermarriage over the centuries). My grandfather did mention once a cousin of his called Roy Beaumont, but he was a director of Lloyds Bank (ending up as Chairman or Managing Director if I recall correctly - but I'm not sure when this was). I have noticed from the information that I have built up that my family had a "habit" of giving children the same first name as others within the family (e.g. there are a number of Roberts and several Alfreds) - so the chances of there being two called Roy seem quite high (perhaps the hairdresser was the son, or cousin of the banker).
I wish I had got interested in this family tree stuff when my grandfather was still alive - he had something of a photographic memory. Still, it's more fun trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together the hard way lol Your help in this is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Tony
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Tony....If you can identify Straight Road on a map.....go to the North end of it, unfortunately it is well over a mile in length (the Leather Bottle PH is at the South end).
The North end is basically a 'T' junction, the South is a staggered crossroads.
The Tweeds garage was right on the corner of Straight Road and London Road (which was an extension of Lexden Road / Lexden Street).....in other words it was between the vertical of the 'T' and left hand leg of the 'T'.
Extract attached shows site in red, Nelson Road approx..in green.
The hairdressers?....go a little way along the right leg.
With regard to the Murco site.....well, I suppose it could have originally belonged to Tweeds at some time....the Tweed family had remnants all around Lexden, in fact there was one branch of them on Straight Road, right opposite the other end of Heath Road.
With regard to what was on the Murco site prior to Murco, I might be 'old', but I'm not that old!.....I can just about picture something, but I'm not sure what the picture is!
Al.
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Thanks for that Al, the map helps a great deal.
I've been digging about on seax and have found a planning app lodged by H.C. Tweed in 1912 for a workshop on Cross Road. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Cross Road is now Heath Road. Perhaps it is possible that this refers to the corner of Church Lane and Heath Road. Of course, it might well not!!
What I'm wondering (if it is) is did Tweeds have their garage (perhaps a showroom) on the corner of London Road and Straight Road and a workshop on the corner of Church Lane and Heath Road. This is pure guesswork and I may well be barking up the wrong tree - for all I know the workshop was elsewhere on Cross Road. It could even be a different Tweed - my only knowledge of the family is that one of them bought some land off my g-grandfather.
Again, thanks for your input.
Tony
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Tony....sorry for delay in reply....been asking questions.
My father born 1920's doesn't recall Heath Road being called Cross Road and neither does my uncle who lived in Lexden for about 70 years.
I lived on Straight Road for 12 years....(60's mainly)
On the old maps, even when the Heath was still there, it appears to be Heath Road.
Funnily enough, neither of the two junctions we are talking about are really (even at a push) crossroads.....the nearest to a crossroad is Hetah Road / Claremont Road/Avenue....even that is staggered.
Myself, my father and uncle, plus a couple of my mates can recall there being a 'garage' of a sort, on the Murco site, before Murco......it consisted of a couple of pumps and a white painted weatherboarded shed (garden shed size).....it may have been Tweeds, we don't know.
Is it really a 1912 planning application?.....sure it isn't 'by-laws'?......Does 1912 fit with your g-grandfather's age?.....surely you ain't that much youger than me, unless you moved away fairly quickly after being born our paths have probably crossed.
The garage on the corner of Straight Road certainly wasn't really a 'showroom'.....if you want to call it that.....although it had some large windows onto London Road, the premises were, to the best of our recollection. a combination of sheds in weatherboard, painted in a dirty or blackish green.....the floors were earth.
Absolutely certain it went right up to the Nelson Road boundary.
My father and I think it was Tweeds, my uncle says he thinks it was also, but two others aren't certain.....the trouble is, the Tweeds appeared to have a lot of fingers in lots of pies in the area.....If I can track down my old schoolmate Andrew Tweed, I will ask him (he should still be in Colchester).
I'll keep digging ( I have found a few postcard photos of Lexden on a website, but I won't post them here.....you have probably already found them).
Al.
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Hi Al,
I really appreciate all the effort you're going to on this - at the very least, I'm gaining some really interesting background info on Lexden.
I'm must be mistaken about Cross Road, the annoying thing is that I can't remember where I read it. It was on something from the 19th Century, but I just can't find it. I think your father and uncle are going to be far more accurate in this than I.
Their recollections about a small garage on the Murco site is very promising - it does fit in with my Mum's memories.
The planning app for Cross Roads was an actual app. 1912 is within the time of my g-grandfather - he would have been 29 at the time. I think the whole Cross Roads thing is a bit of a red herring.
I reckon I might just be a few years adrift of you agewise (I'm 36). I sort of "left" the area whilst still a "twinkle in the eye" of my Dad - my Mum and her parents moved to Derby in 1966 (followed by my Dad) two years before I was born lol
The Tweeds sound a bit like the Clarkes and the Beaumonts - fingers in more pies than most people have fingers. Probably quite lucrative for them, but now a complete nightmare for us youngsters trying to follow their tracks!!!
The biggest problem with this genealogy lark is that each time you get a snippet of information it just poses more questions. As an example, I have discovered today that my g-g-g-grandfather Edward Clarke was left a house in the will of G.H. Errington of Lexden Park when he died in 1883 (when Edward himself was an old man of 75). An interesting enough snippet in itself, but begging the question of "where"! Another puzzle for another day.
I've seen quite a few postcards of Lexden on the web, but none of the lower part of Church Lane. If you ever see any of those please let me know.
Thanks again for your efforts - they are appreciated.
Tony
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Al, just another "snippet" that is probably not that helpful but which I have just recalled. When my Mum told me about the land sold to Tweeds, she said that it was her grandfather's orchard (part of, or all of, I don't know). Of course, how you define orchard is relevant to whether this is any use - i.e. is it 2 manky old apple trees that nobody would ever have missed or is it 2 acres of beautiful fruiting trees ? All we need to find is someone who went scrumping for apples one year last century and came hope disappointed lol
Tony
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Now heres a thing. Al, your recollection about a builder with a yard on Straight Road who was also an undertaker has found a match. I've just found out today that Robert Beaumont (b 1850) was both a builder and an undertaker!!!!
Thanks!
Tony
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Hi Tony.
I have been following this thread & looking at the info i have. I have found a few births for Beaumonts & Clarkes in the 1840's. One of them is for Sarah & Eleanor Clarke christened on 5th April 1846, mother called Sarah.The father is John & the church register says he was transported in 1839 for 7 years (dosen't say where). The girls where base born, meaning they were illegitimate. They lived in Lexden Street. If you want copies send me your email address.
Malcolm in Colchester.
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Thanks Malcolm, I've sent you a PM.
Tony
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Honest, I'm not rude......far too much work has prevented me from a reply.
While I'm thinking of it....my Grandparents (Enfield) in Lexden were friendly with the Isom family....I can't remember much about them though....initial memory says one may have been a doctor???
Anyway....back to the garages....I seem to recall an orchard next to the properties before the Murco garage existed ie when the old garage shed was there.....however my father says there was an orchard behind the garage on London Road (which I think was Tweeds and he now thinks was Fordhams or Adams.....he is a deaf as a post and 84....you try getting info out of him!!)
I have asked several more relatives in the 70-80 age range who were all Lexden Stanway residents....conflict over garage name continues.
None of them recall Cross Road instead of Heath Road....the only two alive that would have known have both got Alzheimers (one from each side of the family...which bodes well for me!!!....What?)
However....even though they all think the Dog and Pheasant pub is / was at Mile End Colchester, I have seen reference to another one at Heath formerly Cross Road.....apparently it was known as the Diamond in later years.
The thing is I am sure I recall an old disused pub right opposite the end of Heath Road where it meets Church Lane.....maybe the info you have is correct.
I can send you a postcard of Lexden Park and the house, plus one of Lexden Street which shows the Sun Pub (where I used to get blotto on sherbets).
One thing I can tell you....there was only one pair of cottages in Church Lane until the junction with Parsons Hill.....but due to the levels ther was never very many in total.
If you want the postcards email required (but I bet you have seen them anyway)
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Hey, no worries - work has to come first.
I'm not sure about a doctor in the family - heck, I didn't know we had funeral directors!!! I'm only just finding out about the Isoms - I had heard the name mentioned in the past, but didn't realise they were related until I started on this genealogy lark. My g-g-g-g-grandmother Mary was an Isom. Robert Beaumont (b 1849) married Mary Isom's nephew's daughter. It gets so complicated!!!! Whilst you worry about alzheimers, I'm busy double checking how many fingers and toes I've got........
I really appreciate the digging about that you're doing. Looks like the orchard memory was right, but not much help. Might of guessed that everyone had one!!
I still can't find my reference to Cross Road being Heath Road, but your info does suggest that it might be right. This one could run and run.
I've already got the two postcards you mention, but thanks all the same. What I need is one showing the corner of Heath Road and Church Lane - but I've not come across one yet.
Interesting about the cottages on Church Lane. I assume the two you refer to are nos 6 & 7 (aka "Yeomans Cottages" according to the estate agent trying to sell one of them) ??
Thanks again Al.
Tony
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Oh yeah....I can really see the estate agent's boards from Suffolk!
If they are the two I think they are, they will be right next to a flight of steps at the end of a high brick wall on the West side of Church Lane.....the steps go to an alley that leads to Thompson Avenue.....the high brick wall extended from St. Leonards Church.
The cottages used to be white render with a bit of black fake Tudor boards.
Note, I am not certain about an Isom being a doctor.....all I recall is that my grandparents knew the Isoms.....the Isoms must have lived somewhere like Collingwood / Trafalgar / Nelson / Claremont / King Coel / London Road....This is 50's / 60's.
As yet I haven't seen a photo of Heath Road / Church Lane junction.....but in having the odd dig around in your stuff guess what?....I just found I have a Tweed in my lot!
Al.
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Well, obviously nobody can see <that> far - I just thought you were psychic or something!!!! Sorry, I just didn't think. I've pasted the link below:
http://www.nicholaspercival.co.uk/Residential/Res%20for%20Sale/All%20Sale%20Files/R2463.htm
I reckon the cottages are the ones you mention. No half-timber, but plenty of render.
From my reckoning the Isoms have probably lived on all those streets at some time! On one of the old census records for Church Lane I went down the list and practically every name was a relative - several Isoms, Clarkes etc. all living next to each other.
Can't believe you've got a Tweed in the family! Glad you've found it - now all we need to know is which bit of land my lot sold your lot lol
Tony
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Tony, these cottages aren't the two I was referring to....These ones are either on Church Lane just at the junction with Parsons Hill, or they are opposite that same junction....I need to see a bit more to say which.
The ones I referred to sit up higher and have a very high bank immediately behind them....it may be a single house now.
The garage on the corner of Straight Road and London Road was called Bloomans.
The garage (shed) prior to Murco was indeed Tweeds (my apologies if I threw doubt on that).
An 84 year old relative of mine knows a woman (a Tweed) that used to work there...used to ride a motorcycle.....??....at least taht is what I am told.
I will try to get further facts....maybe the lady biker has some photos?????
Al.
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No need for apologies - you've confirmed to me that the site of the murco garage is the right piece of land. So, thanks for that Al.
It would great to see some photos - a lady biker with a camera would be quite useful.
Now I know that the land is the right bit of land, I am left with a whole new set of questions. This genealogy is such fun!
I have a photo of the site, taken recently, which shows the edge of the house on Heath Road that adjoins the Murco site. Unfortunately, the photo doesn't show anything other than the wall and roof - so I have no way of guaging the age of the property. By my reckoning, if the murco site was my g-grandfather's orchard then his house (from my Mum's recollection) would have been where there is currently a house (i.e. facing onto Heath Road). Is this a relative new house built on the land or is it the house my g-grandfather lived in (i.e. my grandfather's childhood home). So many questions! How's your memory ??
Thanks again Al - you're being a great help.
Tony
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Show me the picture (artcetera@ntlworld.com) one of my professions is architecture.
I think that at around 80 years of age she might have a hard job taking photos on a motorcycle!.....I'm relying on her memory.
Al.
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Hi Tony,
During your research into the Isom family have you come across a Jemima Isom b 1803 in Lexden?
I recently discovered she was my 3 x gt grandmother. She was married to Thomas Abbott and they were living at Wickham Bishops, Essex in 1851
Regards
Martin
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I have just found this board and first thing I read is a lot of messages on or about ' Tweeds ' - fingers in a lot of pies was one comment - well in 1780's by a Will they seemed to opwn half of Bradfield , Suffolk. Later generations moved to Colchester and Lexden and I am now bitten by the bugg to know who the Tweeds were that owned the garage !!.
Anyone have any Tweed memories I would love to hear from you !!.
I am interested in Tweeds,Manns and Biggs from Colchester way.
- Clif
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Clif.......... Andrew Tweed and his parents lived on Straight Road Lexden.
His father ran Johnson's shop on London Road Lexden in the 50's / 60's
Andrew also had a cousin Nigel Tweed (at least I think he was his cousin...he might have been his brother!)
Their house was immediately opposite Heath Road (the other end to where the garage was).....if it was Tweed's garage like Tony suspects, I would guess that it could well have been part of this family that ran it.
I can only guess that Andrew's father may have been the last person to run the garage before Murco took the site......which coincides roughly when he would have started working in the shop....I doubt if there was sufficient income from a shop wage to run a large house and bring up a family....I anticipate they were quite comfortable.
There was also another Tweed family not a few miles away at Shrub End, plus there was a fairly large family Bakery business in Colchester called Tweeds...to the best of my knowledge, Andrew's father was related.
Al.
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Hi Al,
it was Herbert Charles Tweed had the garage I am told by his daughter Mary Born 1920 !!. The Tweed Bakery at Colchester was a family tradition and I have photos of the shop ( another relative had a Bakers in Edmonton ).
I know the name, Andrew Tweed , ( if the same one - he had a sister Helen ) but thats all. Again if the Nigal you knew, is the same, he was a grandchild of Herbert Charles Tweed who had the garage.
I probably know a little about the Tweeds at Shrub End ?? - just need the names to identify them. Funny Shrub End crops up, I read a story about the history of Shrub End ( I think it was on the local Church website ) ...but halfwat through there was a mention of a family by the name of Slowgrove running a shop there. Way back a Tweed married a Slowgrove , so also of interest to me.
- Clif
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Yes, absolutely spot on with Helen.
Andrew's father was John.
Nigel was an infuriating, but pleasant comedian.
Nigel and Andrew ran a car body repair business in Colchester, plus Andrew had a Moto Guzzi motorcycle.....he and I went to the same schools.
The Shrub End Tweed was another John....(I think his wife died young....possibly)
Slowgroves....crumbs! Right again......but I can't recall which shop it was...there were three and a Post Office on Shrub End Road, and some others just off that road.
I used to work with a Jane Slowgrove.
The bakers had one shop in the High Street.....I am sure there was another, possibly East Hill.
My background is from around that area....if you need help you can PM / swap email (assuming I can help)
Al.
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The daughter of Herbert Charles Tweed, Mary still lives in the area, Herbert had 13 children , so I imagine there are a few about. Mary and 5 other researchers researched a Tweed Tree for 20 + years, I have picked up the gauntlet and have been researching for 5 years and the last 7 months trying to combine about 8 Tweed Trees into one.
I keep Mary up to date with all my stuff and just last week sent her a disk with another bunch of descendants from Colchester on, a large Mann family ...Henry Welllington Mann married in 1844 in St Leonard's , had 11 kids and one of them married Hicks who had about, rumour has it 20 kids !1.
The Jane Slowgrove I know about married a David Slowgrove - or David was her brother - I know the surname Worlock gets in there somewhere !.
My friend Vickie has a Slowgrove Website on World Connect, and she has about 25 years of research on / going on, there - plus about 114 of my Tweeds. Herbert Charles is there I know.
I have not worked this one out yet but also know of a Howe / How researcher in S.A., , but not sure what area her lot came from, am sending her an em now to find out.
- Clif
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I also knew David Mann from Manns Music Shop.
I got married (No.1) in St Leonards Church Lexden
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HEY Al , who has just found a tweed imnn their lot - pass me details as I am doing the ' mother of all ' Tweed Trees and as its a contionuation of others work over 25 years might save you a heck of a lot of research !!
- Clif
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I have just been talking to the woman who worked at the garage ...Mary Jones ( nee Tweed ) but she says she definately did not ride a motorbike to work ! - only a bicycle ' im afraid '
She said Alan Tweed was the last one to work in the garage but could not make it work due to people not paying their bills.
I like the mention of the big wall by St Leonard's, as in the 1850's thats where my Manns were Baptised - evidently the wall nowadays is quite decrepid and looks positively dangerous.
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Hang On.............was 'Alan' Andrew's father?....I have just remembered that the 'shop owner' was John Johnson.
Al.
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If I have this right, Alan was the brother of John Johnson's wife - she was Jane Tweed , their father being Herbert Charles Tweed.
If you are right - and I have the right John and wife - the Johnson family had kids, Adrian, Ruth, Trevor, Linda and Cheryl - but I know nothing on their birthdates , except I have that John and Janet married in 1951.
- Clif
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Clif.............Actually, at present I don't have any Tweeds in my family...I was only interested because I knew their family....
However........I have just a few moments ago turned up a link to Grace Mann!
Al.
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I have not got one of those ' Grace ' yet - I supose as with all others ' theres a lot of them about '. I do know they also lived 1800's at Hythe Quey ?? - and spread out.
Has anybody recalled the Slowgrove shop keepers names in Shrub End ??
- Clif
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A distant relative of the Slowgroves in Shrub End thinks the shop might have been either a hairdressers or a watch repairers shop - if thats a jog to anybodys memory !
- Clif
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Clif
Just away from the junction of Straight Road, there was a shop on Shrub End Road which I think was Woolnough's....grocer?. (North Side)
Further along, opposite the Berechurch Arms, was the Post Office (South Side)
On the corner of Shrub End Road and Hastings Road was another small shop...grocer? Don't think this was Slowgroves. (North Side)
Further along , past the Walnut Tree Way junction (South Side) was a parade of shops that went around the junction of Shrub End Road with (sorry, can't remember....All Saints Avenue?) To the best of my knowledge, Slowgroves was among this parade, which included a butcher, hairdresser, grocer / confectionary shops.
Slowgroves, I am pretty sure, was the name of the grocer/confectionary shop...but maybe they owned the whole damn lot?
Al.
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I was talking to a 76 year old Slowgrove on the phone this morning and he said the Slowgroves had a ' mobile shop ' - hairdressers in Shrub End - but he called it by another name - like Pett Estae ?? - is there another name for the area ?
- Clif
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Prettygate Estate
Al
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Thanks...and if you fancy a walk in the sunshine I have read in a will that there is a Tweed family vault in Braintree Churchyard...which isnt to far away is it ?
Be interesting to find one and details if there is.
But seriousely how far 'out' is Braintree Churchyard ?
- Clif
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Depends which churchyard in Braintree..........
Braintree is say, 12 miles west of Colchester along the A120.
I'm 30 miles North North East of Colchester.....so I'm not walking to Braintree.
Al.
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I have a friend in NZ who would - and think it was a superb use of a day !!. Many years ago we walked from Greenwich, up to London, via Tower Bridge, down Fleet St, around the West End then home via the Old Kent Rd. I think we got in about 9 ish.
I was in bed till 11 p.m. next day.
He was up at 5 a.m. , caught a coach back to Cornwall and then played in a band in the pub at night !!.
He visited this time last year and got me out walking - I have had painfull heels ever since !!.
I asked him why he walks - it gives him time to think.....about what I asked.....at 46 years old , he should have finished with all that nonsense and be preparing himself for the days ahead when he will need the time trying to remember !!
- clif
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I realise that this thread has become a bit dormant but I have noticed that I have collected a few TWEED baptisms at Bradfield. Essex Record Office ref: D/P 173/1/4 fiche 1 of 1
1785 19-Dec TWEED Abraham son of Abraham and Mary TWEED
1787 11-Feb TWEED William son of Abraham and Mary TWEED
1788 28-May TWEED Chapman son of Abraham and Mary TWEED
1790 07-Feb TWEED Robert son of Abraham and Mary TWEED
1792 19-Jun TWEED John son of Abraham and Mary TWEED
If you already have them please bin. If not, I hope they help
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I am an Isom who had relatives living and working in Lexden, Fordham and West Bergholt. My Great Grandfatherx3 lived in Lexden Street on the 1871 census he was Abraham Isom married to Elizabeth and family.
my GGrandfatherx2 Jonathon married Sarah Ellen Kettle at West Bergholt in 1873 and my grandfather Willie Abram was born in1874
If there is a connection which I haven't made yet I look forward to hearing from you.
regards
SH
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Just discovered this thread, I have some vintage Lexden pics that I've digitally copied if you are still interested in receiving them ....... it was some time back now when the question was asked.
Also - re the Johnson shop comments - my husband and John Johnson are on the same family tree. John Johnson ran the shop with his wife Janet (nee Tweed of the aforementioned Tweed family). John's parents were William John Johnson and wife Irene (nee Barber).
My Lexden interests are Johnsons and Garlings .... they are my husband's families.
Heather
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Hi, i have found this thread very interesting, i appreciate its been dormant a while, i have ancestors from Lexden, but have no clue what it looked like. I would be grateful if there are vintage photo's available, i would appreciate a copy. My particular interest is 'cottage' Lexden High Rd, and 'cottage' Lexden High St. My ancestors were there in and around the 1830's - 1860's with the surnames of Geernaert (tailors) and Everett (carpenters)
Any help or assistance would be gratefully recieved.
Regards Mark
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Frith has a few photos. I have them on my site.
http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/essexl10ff.html
You could also try Ebay in the postcard section.
Hope this helps.
Keldon
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only just seen this thread :)
i live in lexden so wold be able to take photos of the area, churches etc
just let me know :)
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Hi Mark
I too have a GEERNAERT / EVERITT connection would love to compare notes
my mother remembers the GEERNAERTs we are connected via the Everitts.
Cheers
Ditch
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Hi,
Do you know if you have any Dutch "Geernaert-roots" ?
I'm doing some research myself and I wondered if there is a connection.
Regards,
Marianne
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Geernaert
I had to look up some Berthon Amsterdam Records and found loads on the new LDS Pilot website...maybe there are Geernaert on there ...worth a try.
- Clif
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I have just enjoyed reading through the various family connections. My wife is descended to the Isoms, and therefore related distantly to the Clarkes, Everitts, Abbotts and Beaumonts.
My godfather was named Beaumont from Stanway/Lexden and connected to the Beaumonts who married into the Isom family. His father was a hairdresser in Culver Street, Colchester.
I have tracked the Isoms back to mid 1700s.
Regards, Steve
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Hi, I realise this is a very old post, but I would love to see the family tree. My grandparents owned the bakery, Marjorie Louise Tweed (Babs) and Charles Angiers Tweed
I don't know much about the Tweed side of the family! Their 3 daughters (my mum and her sisters) are all still alive.