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Wood Lane Handsworth

Vivienne14 said:
The Calthorpe Cottages have either had a name change since the 1960s or the Levick’s Cottages are different ones. (B&Wimage dated March 1962 by Birmingham Library). They look the same to me, even down to the position of the street name. Maybe Levick was once the owner of these ? Viv


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Hi Viv & members,

I am really interested in the Levick Cottages. As is quite rightly mentioned in this thread, the Levick’s lived at Ashley House, which looks to be very close by. I’m a descendant / related to this family and researching places they lived. Do you think anyone would be able to point me in the right direction for further info / photos at all please of Ashley house, the associated land and the Levick Cottages? Ashley House seems to have been set in significant sized land, and likely a farm. Would anyone know the name of the farm? It would appear Ashley House and the farm made way for later housing developments? I’d be really interested to see any info relating to the house or farm. Do you think any of the artist’s paintings could be of the farm where Ashley House was located? It seems a branch of the Soho railway line ran close by at one stage too?

Any info would be much appreciated please, and thank you ☺️
 
As a starting point, a quick search of newspapers gives a good description of Ashley House, Handsworth and land when it was being sold in 1864. Described as a mansion, it sounds substantial with several acres of land at this time, including a farm and farm buildings. Shall continue a search for 'Levick' in particular.

Screenshot_20241030_164500_Chrome.jpg
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Source: British Newspaper Archive
 
The cottages in Wood Lane (see post #10)
The cottages were known as Calthorpe Cottages in March 1916 (occupied by the Stanley family)
No mention of 'Levicks Cottages' or 'Levicks or Ashley Farm' yet found

Ashley House, Wood Lane
John Rawlins owned Ashley House until 1858
As per post #34, Ashley House and associated land and property was auctioned in 1864
Mrs Hayes owned Ashley House, Handsworth until 1883, when it was auctioned (no mention of any other associated property)

The Levicks
Mr Levick's address was Ash(leigh) House, Handsworth Wood until at least WW1 - his gardener was mentioned in a Roll of Honour in 1917.
Mr John Levick's address was Ashley House in September 1923
There was a Levick Cup for Rifle Shooting in Handsworth 1927
There was a John Levick Angling Cup, given by John Levick of Handsworth Birmingham in 1939 to fund the Ross Hospital (Birmingham Post)


Note I notice there were also Levicks in Handsworth, Sheffield in the 1920s - not to be confused with the WMids Handsworth!
 
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Vivienne14 said:
As a starting point, a quick search of newspapers gives a good description of Ashley House, Handsworth and land when it was being sold in 1864. Described as a mansion, it sounds substantial with several acres of land at this time, including a farm and farm buildings. Shall continue a search for 'Levick' in particular.

View attachment 196252
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Source: British Newspaper Archive
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Thank you so much, Viv, this is extremely interesting. How the other half lived eh?
 
Vivienne14 said:
The cottages in Wood Lane (see post #10)
The cottages were known as Calthorpe Cottages in March 1916 (occupied by the Stanley family)
No mention of 'Levicks Cottages' or 'Levicks or Ashley Farm' yet found

Ashley House, Wood Lane
John Rawlins owned Ashley House until 1858
As per post #34, Ashley House and associated land and property was auctioned in 1864
Mrs Hayes owned Ashley House, Handsworth until 1883, when it was auctioned (no mention of any other associated property)

The Levicks
Mr Levick's address was Ash(leigh) House, Handsworth Wood until at least WW1 - his gardener was mentioned in a Roll of Honour in 1917.
Mr John Levick's address was Ashley House in September 1923
There was a Levick Cup for Rifle Shooting in Handsworth 1927
There was a John Levick Angling Cup, given by John Levick of Handsworth Birmingham in 1939 to fund the Ross Hospital (Birmingham Post)


Note I notice there were also Levicks in Handsworth, Sheffield in the 1920s - not to be confused with the WMids Handsworth!
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WOW! This is incredible information, thank you soooo much. Really appreciate your help ❤️
 
Vivienne14 said:
The Levicks
Mr Levick's address was Ash(leigh) House, Handsworth Wood until at least WW1 - his gardener was mentioned in a Roll of Honour in 1917.
Mr John Levick's address was Ashley House in September 1923
There was a Levick Cup for Rifle Shooting in Handsworth 1927
There was a John Levick Angling Cup, given by John Levick of Handsworth Birmingham in 1939 to fund the Ross Hospital (Birmingham Post)
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1913 directory

1730381824784.png
 
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Interestingly on the 1851 census John Rawlins is listed, as Viv said, at Ashly House but the road seems to be called Lee Heath Lane (possibly later Lea). I can't find a map that early at the moment.
1851 Ashley House.jpg
 
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Vivienne14 said:
Thanks Janice. I’m guessing the “Levick” Cottage B&W photo is most likely wrongly labelled then. The Census shows Ivy Cottage too. Here it is in May 1968. Viv.

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My Mom and Dad lived there after the war My brother cliff was born there in 1951 Mom said it had a black leaded fire and a loo up the back garden and a hooty owl in the tree I have never seen the front elevation
 
Lea Hall Farm was in the 1840s owned by Ashley House.(See photos of the farm in post #13).

This was most likely the 'farm yard and buildings 'associated with the Ashley House sale mentioned in the notice in post #34 - dated 1864.
Screenshot_20241101_081804_Chrome.jpg
Source: British Newspaper Archive
 
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