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William Hutton’s house The Wysons at Erdington

Vivienne14

Kentish Brummie Moderator
Staff member
In 1796 the historian, William Hutton started writing a document called “Memorandums from memory all trifles and of ancient date” (starting 9/3/1796). In this retrospective ‘diary’ he recorded an anecdote for every day of that year.

One incident he states in 1768 as buying a house called The Wysons in Erdington. He also records that on 26 September 1769 he allowed a John Lewis to reside in the house for free.

But where exactly is/was this house ? Viv.
 
A possible lead is that the 'Wysons' comprised an area of moorland between Moor End Lane and Holly Lane in Erdington put into trust in 1716 by the Reverend Dr Richard Banner to form part of the 'Banner Trust'.

The land was defined at the time as being bounded by:
Land of George Birch,
Land of Thomas Roper (deceased),
Land of Edward Eagles (deceased),
Wolsoms Lane (later Holly Lane),
The cross hedge to Wolsoms Lane,
Stream from moat to cross hedge, and
Hedge of Thomas Eagles from moat to lane from Moore End to Blacknall Green (later Moor End Lane).

Loosely speaking, this land is now represented by the Berkswell Road estate after its having passed throught the ownership of the Whitehouse farming family.

If the house 'Wysons' was associated with this land, then the only substantial property in 1768 would have been elizabethan 'Moat House', named after the moat referred to in the trust deed.

Other less substantial cottages were dotted along Moor End lane. Almost at the top North-East end of the lane stood 'Hutton Cottage' on land owned in 1848 by Samuel Hutton (latterly numbered #259 MEL). This was demolished before my time in favour of a building known as the 'police house', presumably for the local constable.

Hope this helps.
 
In the Birmingham Gazette of November 1916 it comments on pages from William Hutton's personal diary. It mentions that in 1768 he purchased the Wysons, and on the following year a little close at Saltley. Later relating to the Wysons, he sent his brother to give John Nichols warning to quit. Nichols returned the paper with a curse... afterwards Nichols became civil and Hutton allowed him to reside gratis for life.
 
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Very helpful ! Great additional information both, thanks. Had never associated Hutton with Erdington, so it’s good to build on that a little more. Viv.
 
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