Post Office Directory 1847
Entry for Piddington
This provides a simple introduction to the village just before our diary commences.
We have a number of directory entries for different years. For more information look under Sources
Some of the spelling is intriguing. Did the compiler do more than call in at the Seven Stars?
We can see the Vicar, Billy Bottle, Joseph Brooks, still in occupation of Gravel Pits, and Mrs Ann Brown running Manor Farm, five years after the death of her husband, John.
We can see John Freeman, who is not labelled as “down Cowleys”. Some other farmers stated to be “down Sowleys”.
I have taken note that the once eminent Walker family are not listed, although they do make a return in a later directory.
We can see Old William Parrott and Edward Parrott as shopkeeper.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a name for the baker. For the moment, it is a bit frustrating not being able to have the baker’s family standing next to the baker’s oven.
So, what is the complete picture of the village around 1850/1851? We have:
The Brook!
The Church, the Chapel, the Big Houses, the Farms and farmers, the Wheelwrights and the Blacksmith.
The Seven Stars, the Butcher's, the Baker’s and at least three other “shops”.
Marlows’ the Tailors, Guns’ the Shoemakers and also Wiggins’ the Shoemakers.
Two Carriers, two Bricklayers,a "Plumber and Glazer" and a "Grazer and Dealer"
Several Lacemakers, Farm Servants and House Servants' a lot of Labourers and 19 “on Parish Relief”
The next question you will be asking is: “and where were they?”
Easy to answer for some. Much more difficult for others. I have started to cover this in the section called "The Jigsaw"
Entry for Piddington
This provides a simple introduction to the village just before our diary commences.
We have a number of directory entries for different years. For more information look under Sources
Some of the spelling is intriguing. Did the compiler do more than call in at the Seven Stars?
We can see the Vicar, Billy Bottle, Joseph Brooks, still in occupation of Gravel Pits, and Mrs Ann Brown running Manor Farm, five years after the death of her husband, John.
We can see John Freeman, who is not labelled as “down Cowleys”. Some other farmers stated to be “down Sowleys”.
I have taken note that the once eminent Walker family are not listed, although they do make a return in a later directory.
We can see Old William Parrott and Edward Parrott as shopkeeper.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a name for the baker. For the moment, it is a bit frustrating not being able to have the baker’s family standing next to the baker’s oven.
So, what is the complete picture of the village around 1850/1851? We have:
The Brook!
The Church, the Chapel, the Big Houses, the Farms and farmers, the Wheelwrights and the Blacksmith.
The Seven Stars, the Butcher's, the Baker’s and at least three other “shops”.
Marlows’ the Tailors, Guns’ the Shoemakers and also Wiggins’ the Shoemakers.
Two Carriers, two Bricklayers,a "Plumber and Glazer" and a "Grazer and Dealer"
Several Lacemakers, Farm Servants and House Servants' a lot of Labourers and 19 “on Parish Relief”
The next question you will be asking is: “and where were they?”
Easy to answer for some. Much more difficult for others. I have started to cover this in the section called "The Jigsaw"