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Thomas Chapman (1813-1891) Omnibus Proprietor of Aston

Jason Ellis

Jason Ellis

master brummie
Can anybody please help with background information on Thomas Chapman (c1813-1891), Omnibus proprietor of Aston? He is easy enough to track on the censuses etc:
1841 Sherlock Street, Birmingham. Servant in household of a horse dealer, John Adcock
1851 173 Ashted Row, Aston, Car Proprietor
1855 Great Brooke Street, Ashted
1861 Nelson Terrace Manor House, Aston. Omnibus Proprietor
1864 Edgbaston. Omnibus proprietor
1871 Manor House, Trafalgar Street, Duddeston, Retired Bus Proprietor
1881 Manor House, 56 Chattaway Street, Aston, Bus Proprietor

He may have owned and operated a single omnibus, but I am hoping that it may have been on a grander scale. I am intrigued that three different addresses refer to "manor house"

His daughter, Sarah Ann Chapman (1842-1894) married one of my ancestors, William Harrington (1839-1904). William was a glassmaker, like most of my ancestors.

His daughtern
 
1886 map showing Manor House Chattaway Street.
1746440166978.png

However the directory for 1883 lists 2 different names at that address
1746440225094.png
On 1881 census they are listed as 56 Manor House and Manor House second part.
 
Hello
Don't know if you've checked on British Newspaper Archive, but there are a number of results after searching for "Thomas Chapman" as exact and also including "omnibus"? I limited to 1830 to 1891 & Birmingham.
Some relate to TC senior or junior so presumably father & son. One of these refers to a court case for not displaying the correct badge saying that the bus was a temporary one whilst "the others" were being repaired, suggesting he owned a number. There is also one from the Birmingham Daily Post 16/3/1891 advertising the sale of his home the Manor House Chattaway St & 2 other rental properties, as part of the Estate after his death. The Manor House is 10 bedroomed & built it says by a member of the Aston Holte family.
There are also a few cases of court appearances for various misdemeanours such as blocking each others routes etc! Another refers to the purchase of goodwill from him for a route in Balsall Heath which may give a better insight into the scale of the business. This was the Birmingham Daily Post for 1st Feb 1881.
Hope this helps, happy searching!
 
my 3 x gt grandfather was henry harrington and he had a son william who married sarah chapman daughter of thomas chapman senior..

jason i am not sure if you have read my below thread started in 2012 but there are lots of newspaper snippets and also a photo of the manor house before demo..

lyn

Astoness

Thread 'manor house nechells'

hi mike..in my family tree i have a thomas chapman b 1821 but all the address says on the census is manor house nechells..wonder if i could have a map marking it out if you can locate it for me please..his occupation says thomas ran a stage coach service from aston to brum..

thank you mike

lyn
 
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