I have family members at Brick kilns on the banks of the River Avon on 1881 census which then shows Brick Fields , district Westbury on Trym on a mrg . cert . of 1884 . Old Maps online shows a 1889 map with 4 houses next to the old Port and Pier railway line and just north of the branch off from the GWR line through the gorge tunnel and under Cooks Folly . The cert . is for a mrg between George George and Harriet Tanner ( freebmd 6a 351 Barton Regis ) .
Of note the 1881 census shows her father , Edwin as 54y a garden labourer . Had the cottages now not be for brickworkers with kilns now shut down ? He later worked and lived within the gorge with George George .
Family word has always suggested the Tanner family lived on the river bank before moving into the Gorge further up to Point Villa at the base of Bridge Valley Rd . I have quite an amount of info regarding this house but not of Brick Kilns / Fields .
Does anyone know of the history of these houses set back from the high water line alongside what seem to be 3 lakes that have been cut probably to service the kilns .
Why were these kilns positioned here ? What was being built nearby to justify their siting here ? Did the quarry business and Egelstaff family who mined the gorge have an involvement ?
I've looked online and through some odd Reece Winston books without joy .
Anyone , pos . locals , have any knowledge , pictures or thoughts ?
Appreciate any help to lead me along the path...thanks
