The Pits, Blackheath

[Old Bristolian]

Can anyone help with a census address in 1851? Its given as Wrights' Pitts, & the enumerator's description lists part of his area as "the whole of the Pits".
The family in 1841 were listed as living at Blackheath Vale, & another source has Tranquil Vale. I see the latter two addresses are on the modern street plan, but I can't find "The Pits".
Could all of these be the same dwelling?

Steve

[Valda]

'The two factors most responsible for Blackheath's transformation from a heathland paradise for wildlife to its present day state are landfill following mineral extraction, and sports. Gravel, sand and the underlying chalk were extracted from large areas of Blackheath during the 18th and early 19th centuries, leaving large pits in many parts of the Heath. These were soon vegetated with grass and gorse, and contributed to the variety of wildlife habitat on the Heath. However, in 1945 some of the pits were filled in with bomb rubble from the Second World War, leaving only Vanbrugh Pits in the north-east and Eliot Pits in the south-west corner. The infilled areas were then covered with topsoil and seeded with perennial rye-grass. This more fertile soil, combined with the rapidly-growing, highly competitive rye-grass, made it impossible for the original heathland plants to recolonise these areas of landfill. Even today, the infilled areas can be recognised at a glance, especially in late spring and summer, when the deeper green of the rye-grass contrasts sharply with the reddish tones of sheep's sorrel and the flowers of the natural grasses of the Heath.'

Greenwich Heritage Centre or Lewisham History and Archives Centre would be able to give you more information

http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/LeisureCulture/HistoryAndHeritage/HeritageCentre/HeritageCentre.htm

http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/ContactUs/Contacts/LocalHistoryAndArchivesCentre.htm

Regards

Valda

[Old Bristolian]

Thanks Valda

[moors]

I notice that you have a reference to Blackheath Vale My husband lived there in 1953 with his Grandmother, what surname are you tracking?

[Old Bristolian]

Hi Moors,

The family name was Bumstead, but I think they had all left the area (or died) by 1870

Steve