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Bradford street

C

Carolann

Journeyman Brummie
Hi,
My Grandparents lived in Bradford Street in the 1920`s
As anyone got any Photo`s of Bradford Street as it was then please.
Thankyou
Carolann
 
carolann im just going through some books i have been lent and ive come accross a pic of bradford st taken in 1950..if thats any good to you let me know and i will post it for you..

lyn
 
carolann i thought as i was on the page i may as well post it for you...

lyn
 
thanks paul..yes ive seen all of phyllis nicklins photos...what an asset to brum history she was...have you seen the keith berry collection they are not to be missed either..

lyn
 
I like this 1783 drawing of Bradford Street, think it's a fascinating because it's got so much going on in it. I recognise St. Martin's (to the right I think?) but which church is that directly ahead? Viv

Bradford_Street_1783.JPG
 
What a cracker of a picture, is that a toll gate in the middle distance?
 
Yes. that is on the border of St Martins and Deritend & Bordesley Wards. At this point this is also along the river Rea
 
I was going to say St Pauls, because that sits on a hill, but if you look just in front of the church there is the round building with the conical roof. It appears in the Samuel Lines painting and was on New Street.
So, I think that the church in the distnace must be Christchurch.
 
Yes Neville I think it's a toll gate and the road looks cobbled to me, so probably had quite a bit of traffic. Leslam, I've had a look at the Samuel Lines picture, and yes it does look like Christ Church. On this drawing it looks so big and out of proportion, but maybe that's because it's on top of a hill. So the church on the very far right must be St. Phillip's. Roughly whereabouts do you think the river is Mike? Viv.
 
It does look dramatically steep at this end, don't you think?

Perhaps it has been made a more gentle slope in recent times..
 
Leslam
I agree the large church in the distance is Christchurch. I di not mean you could see the Rea in th epicture, just that it follows the boundary. you can see this from the 1839 map. I am certain the tollgate is where the boundaty (in red) crosses the road. The blue river by it is the Rea

mike


1123_a4b4.jpg
 
Thanks Mike, I see it now. Your map really helps. Looking at it I'd say the view in the 1783 drawing might be much closer to St. Martin's than I first thought. The road in the drawing veers off to the right and Bradford St on the map is very straight until you reach the point where there's a #7 on the map. That's assuming the earlier course of the road was followed. It might also explain the large appearance of Christ Church. But that doesn't explain the position of the toll gate, as I agree with Mike that this is most likely to be on the boundary. Viv.
 
hi carolina thats a great drawing and map off mike of bradford st...i was down that way recently...how its changed....
lyn
 
I have looked at this picture many times before and did come to a different conclusion about it but I am sure you are right. I would have expected Christchurch to be placed higher than in the drawing though and not so large as shown. Still licence is always required and both churches seem to be in the right direction. Looking at, even todays view, it just feels like Bradford Street does it not. Yes there is a turn in the end as it goes up to Moat Row.
 
The 1783 drawing is also interesting as it shows what I recognize as two pottery kilns. I wonder what the history of them, or the pottery, might be?
 
Agree Alan. It would be interesting to find out more about the kilns. They wouldn't be brick kilns would they? Also, Neville's suggestion in post #13 about the slope of the road was correct! Here's an extract from Langford's 'A century of Birmingham Life'. It says: "October 21 1805. It gives us pleasure to observe the great improvements which are making in Bradford-street, by removing the hill at the top and carrying the soil to the lower part thereof. We think it proper, however, in order to prevent accidents, to recommend travellers and the public in general to avoid passing with horses or carriages along that part of Deritend till a safe and secure road is completed" Viv.
 
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My mother lived at 213 Bradford Street in the 30s with her parents and brother who worked at Ingall, Parsons and Clive who had thier works at the top of the hill in Bradford St. close to Warner Street, believe they made funeral furniture.
 
Fascinating thread! I've always loved this picture of Bradford Street and people going off to market. But the additional info about Christchurch and the tollgate really brings it all to life!
 
Can you imagine the people of today paying any regard to the tollgate? Most would just laugh and bang their way through!
 
I think the toll gates and their toll houses were removed in 1828, along with other toll gates in Deritend leading into town. These were originally put there to fund the re-building of Deritend Bridge and works to widen the road to the bridge. The lower part of Digbeth often flooded so improvements were made to deal with this. Tolls were 2d for a 4 wheeled carriage, 1d for a 2 wheeled carriage and a halfpenny for a horse. The tolls originally produced less than they needed, so they slightly extended the use of the toll gates until 1828. Viv.
 
I find this interesting because I've just found that my g.g.g. grandfather lived and worked in Bradford St. as a cordwainer. Listed in all the c ensus records at no. 214 from 1841 to 1871, the year of his death. I need to find out where 214 would have been. Wouldn't it be great if it was on that drawing?
 
Afraid I have to disappoint you, Seabird, no 214 was behind the back of the artist on the north side of the road. Below is attached two maps c 1889 showing 214 in red on different scales.
In directories 214 was listed as :

1841-78 Titmus Edward, boot & shoe maker

In 1833-39 he was at 188 Bradford St, which I am pretty certain is a different place , and that street has not been renumbered.
In 1829, he is just listed in Bradford St, with no number given
In the 1873 whites directory Mrs Sarah Titmus, dressmaker is listed at 214, but not Edward, though the directories were not always as comprehensive as one would wish
Mike

map_c_1889_no_214_Bradford_St_large_scale.jpg


map_c_1889_no_214_Bradford_St_smaller_scale.jpg
 
Wow thanks Mike! That's answered a question - he was just listed as living in Bradford St on the 1841 census, but at 214 in one of the 1845 trade directories. So he was probably at 188 in 1841. He died in 1871 (although the Post Office directory still has him listed as boot and shoe maker in 1875!) The family changed their name at some time from Titmus (or even Titmas) to Tidmus, just to confuse us even more.
Would you mind if I copied those maps onto his page on my ancestry record?
 
Copy as much as you want. Below I attach a modified smaller scale c1889 map showing two buildings in blue. I am not clear which is 188, as numbering does not run smoothly, but am oretty sure it was one of the two. Also larger scale c1889 map showing the same houses in blue.
Mike

map_c_1889_showing_214_and_two_possibilities_of_188_Bradford_St.jpg






map_c_1889_no_188_Bradford_st___2_options.jpg
 
That's good of you Mike, thank you. Looking at the first maps, I spotted a japanning works across the road. His son, my g.g. grandfather's occupation was later listed as 'japanner' or 'ornamental laquerer'. I'd be willing to bet that was where he worked. Isn't it great when the pieces fit together?
 
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