• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Old Barn, Wiggins Hill Road, Wishaw

For the BHF record and confirming post #1. British History Online claims the cottage (north of Wiggins Hill Farm), has the original timber framework, but with a rebuilt C17 central chimney. It describes the cottage as early C17.

Wiggins Hill Farm, ¾ mile south-east, is an L-shaped house facing north, of which the lower story is of early-17th-century brickwork with red sandstone quoins and a stone chamfered plinth. The upper story is of late-17th-century brickwork and has curvilinear ('Dutch') gable-heads. At the back is an early-17th-century brick chimney-stack. Just north of it is an early-17th-century cottage with remains of original timber-framing and a rebuilt central chimney.
 
We're gathering a lot of information about Wiggins Hill Farm which I think is worthy of a dedicated thread, given its long history. Shall start a separate thread.

That separate thread is here

 
Last edited:
Baffled might not be quite the right word, more surprised. Francis bought the properties in 1938, carried out the alterations to knock them into one cottage, only to be sold in 1945 ? Seems a short stay for all that effort, especially at the time. But if they did emigrate, that could explain, and immediately after WW2 would make sense too. A better life on offer, especially as post-war Britain had a long recovery ahead. And more so in rural areas.
Great insight after WW2 particularly the more rural areas that took a long time to recover!
 
If you look at the other lots for sale in Janice's extract in post #83, Lot 4 is for " Quakers Piece". Presumably very close to the Quaker Meeting House and Old Barn. So yes, i think the chances are the cottages and barn in post #83 are the ones, on the basis that they're very near to each other.

The Quaker House itself was sold in 1890.

Screenshot_20240814_075545_Chrome.jpg
Source: British Newspaper Archive
 
Last edited:
When Plants Brook Waterworks was built 1866 - 1879, the land (50 acres) was bought from the Wakefield Trustees. Wakefield is a local name, so they must have retained some Minworth land at least into the 1880s (as indicated by the previous advert). It looks to me that the Wakefields had a large stake in local land ownership. They owned land in both Minworth and Curdworth.

Thomas Wakefield owned Hurst Brook Meadow. In 1882 it had a pond with fish and a Brook through the meadow (presumably this meadow was near to Hurst Green ?) If so, it was next door to Wiggins Hill Farm etc.

Thomas Wakefield died in 1889

Source: British Newspaper Archive
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20240814_130405_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20240814_130405_Chrome.jpg
    178.4 KB · Views: 3
Last edited:
This is going to get tricky now.
If we think the cottages were originally part of the farm which seems likely as there are so few other buildings marked then any posts about the cottages/barn will invevitably refer to the farm as well.

Earliest newspaper reference to a farm is 1826
Aris's Birmingham Gazette - Monday 15 May 1826 sale.JPG

Do the outbuildings include the cottages?
 
Last edited:
The next reference is to some footpaths and the article names owners or occupiers of the land.
Birmingham Journal - Saturday 28 June 1828.JPG
Birmingham Journal - Saturday 28 June 1828 (2).JPG

Interesting simply because it names Henry Nock and William Reynolds as the occupiers of land and on the 1841 and 1851 censuses they are named as "farmers" living at "Wigginshill".

Did John Whithead (whoever he is) own the farm, barn and cottages?
 
Yes just domestic and a small holding.
Another thing that I am lucky enough to have is a book written by Frank's son Graham entitled ' The Life and Times of Graham Armstrong'
Below is a quote from Graham:
View attachment 193898



Mary. The Hodges had the premises SE of the Quaker Meeting House in the 1930s - Elmhurst.

Screenshot_20240814_151355_Chrome.jpg
Source: British Newspaper Archive
 
Last edited:
Not the same person , but probably a descendent. John Whitehead, from the 1919 corn rent records seems to have owned most of the area. the map shows the various plot numbers, and he owned all those listed on the attached page.

corn record 1919.jpgtithe record corn rent  conversion 1919.jpg
 
Great find Mike. I think our buildings of interest are plot 1386. If so, not Whiteheads land. But could be wrong !
 
Last edited:
The trouble is that on the Genealogist site (where this comes from) it is not easy to specify a name search in a restricted area. For example if you put in sutton coldfield and a date, you will get all the items which list the other attributes for anywhere in the country with sutton in its name !
 
Back
Top