The area where the Breedon Cross Hotel/Breedon Bar is located was quite close to where some of my distant ancestors lived. In the mid to late 1800s James Baldwin, a paper manufacturer, in 1851/1861 James at lived Breedon House, Kings Norton. Sherborne Mill is a short distance away from the house, was where the business operated. The family were still there in 1871 but after James died the house passed to his son James who resided there in 1881 & 1891. No trace of the house in 1901.
Kelly’s Directory for Worcestershire 1892, lists James Baldwin, Breedon House, Kings Norton, Magistrate.This is James above who died in 1894 but there is another entry for the Worcester Yeomanry Cavalry, (Queens own Worcestershire Hussars Volunteers), Capt. J Baldwin.
This is followed in the 1896 Directory, as above but Capt. J Baldwin, Commanding Officer, C Squad. I think this refers to James Baldwin, son of Joseph, this James was still single in 1901, living at the address where he had been with his parents in Lifford Lane, a short distance from Breedon House & the Mill.
The 1901 census shows James as a Paper Maker & Justice of the Peace.
Clarkie