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Meeting House Yard Deritend

G

Gollyitslolly

proper brummie kid
Dear members,
I note it has been some while since this thread was viewed, but I never give up! I am hoping I can strike up some more conversations and research. My GGGrandfather was living at 6 Meeting House Yard Aston Deritend in 1851. He was 20 years old and a sawyer, and lodger. Another resident was a French Polisher. I am very grateful for the information here already. I wonder if you can point me in the right direction to discover more about this location. My GGGrandfather's name was George Morris born 1832. He married Eliza Warwick and they had 9 children together, he had two others later in life too. Many thanks Loraine
 
hello loraine and welcome...yes the exact location of this address would be good...i will try and find him on the 51 census and it could be possible that our map expert mike could find an old map for you which shows where meeting house yard was...fingers crossed

lyn
 
Oh thank you so much, the address listed in 6 Meeting House Yard Deritend Aston. Another resident (same number/room) was a Coppersmith and the other a French Polisher. I have been trying to research where my GGGrandfather would have worked as a Sawyer in 1851, and the other gentlemen? Under the address there are two other words and this is the same for no. 7,8 and 9. looks like Right Meat, but I know that couldn't be right! Thanks again really appreciate any tips, info or help. Loraine
 
struggling to find a george morris b 1832 at that address on the 51 census...who was head of the house
 
right ive found him now..add would be house 6 meeting house yard high st deritend so was not in cannon st...could do with a map now
 
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The book "Memorials of the old meeting house" states that Meeting House yard, sometimes known as Lower meeting house yard, was the site of the Lower meeting house, built to accommodate the overflow from the original meeting house. It later became a workshop, and was demolished by the time of the book (1889). It states that the yard entrance was between nos 224 & 226 Deritend, but had recently been demolished. Another source states that it was demolished during the construction of Milk St. Numbering of Deritend would suggest that it was at the eastern corner of Milk st with deritend.
 
Thank you Lynn and Mike. The two words being 'High Street' makes sense and the maps are great. I've been trying to imagine what life would have been like for a 20 year old lodger back then, where he would have worked, a mill I presume but I've searched and can't find any info on timber mills. I need lessons in discovery as I'm not getting far. You guys are professionals!
I live in South Australia nowadays so apologies for reply seeming late. Regards Loraine
 
mikejee said:
Below are two maps. one c1950 showing, with a red arrow, where meeting house yard must have been, the other what presumably was meeting house yard, though on much smaller scale and not labelled on original map

View attachment 141356View attachment 141357
Click to expand...
These maps are amazing, thank you so much. I wondered if there are any documentaries or films on the area, with all the production going on there? There was an old film on yesterday (1954) that was set in the 1850's staring Sir John Mills, he played a Northerner he did a good job with the accent. Seeing the clothing and how they interacted was interesting. Thanks again Loraine
 
mike what year is your first map dated because if you look at the bottom of the map there is a timber yard marked out...it could be that george morris worked there as a sawyer

lyn
 
He became a timber dealer in London. He married Eliza Warwick who was also from Birmingham. They had two children in Birmingham but looks like one died as a baby, they then moved to London, Bethnal Green, they had 9 children together and he later had two more. On a few of his children's marriage certificates he is listed as timber dealer even many years later.
 
Lyn
Sorry. missed off date, was c1839
Loraine
The yard must have been largely industrial at that time, as would have been much of the area. A firm William & Joseph Jennens , button & military and naval ornament manufacturers were based there, and in 1856 a malthouse in the yard was offered for sale.
In 1851 a butcher living at no 8 in the yard, Henry Berry was run over and killed in Digbeth .In 1854 a pledge shop (pawnbroker) was advertised in the corner of the yard. In 1854 there would probably have been a lot of disruption in the yard, as the new Rea main sewer would have been excavated , which was to go under the yard.
 
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mikejee said:
Lyn
Sorry. missed off date, was c1839
Loraine
The yard must have been largely industrial at that time, as would have been much of the area. A firm William & Joseph Jennens , button & military and naval ornament manufacturers were based there, and in 1856 a malthouse in the yard was offered for sale.
In 1851 a butcher living at no 8 in the yard, Henry Berry was run over and killed in Digbeth .In 1854 a pledge shop (pawnbroker) was advertised in the corner of the yard. In 1854 there would probably have been a lot of disruption in the yard, as the new Rea main sewer would have been excavated , which was to go under the yard.
Click to expand...
Fascinating stuff! Thank you.
 
There is an interesting short video on YouTube showing an artist drawing in color of Birmingham in the 1800's. I took a screen shot as Digbeth is clear to see and what must be the lower Meeting House Yard. The file is too large to attach. I'll try work out how to attach.
 
It is called 'A tour of 18 century Birmingham' by britononfilm - it is all one word. Last for 4.18, very clear mapped drawings.
Cheers Loraine
 
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