Perry Barr and Beyond

 "Taking a Step back in time" 

The Village - Little Perry

Before we go any further, the first story I would like to share with you was written by a Mr HOPKINS HORSLEY HOBDAY HORSLEY, he was an artist, and was born in 1807.  He had a column in the Handsworth Chronicle and in 1890  wrote about his memories over the past 80 years of the people and places in and around Perry Barr and the Handsworth area. How things have changed in 100 years! (See Hobday)

(click on picture to go to more Pictures of Perry Hall)

    1845 Perry Barr, a considerable hamlet, and ‘ancient manor, in the parish of Handsworth, South Offlow hundred, in the county of Stafford, and in the union of West Bromwich, is beautifully situate about 3 miles from Birmingham, on the river Tame.  A very neat church dedicated to St. John, opened for divine service AD. 1832, which was built and endowed at the sole expense of the late John Gough, Esq., adorns the romantic village, while, tiptoe on the heights, near it stands the New college of Oscott, devoted to the education of members of the Roman Catholic persuasion, as well as the Old college of Oscott, nearly destroyed by fire a few years since.  The benefice of Perry Barr is a perpetual curacy, valued at £200 per annum, in the presentation of the Hon. Mr. Calthorpe. 

Did you know that in 1874 there were only 72 private residents in Perry Barr ?

My thanks go to Deryk and Brenda at www.postcardworld.co.uk for letting me share some of these wonderful postcards with you.

Reproduced with the kind permission of Birmingham Central Library - Local History dept.

ASTON HALL LODGE

This beautiful drawing was drawn by Mr Chatterley in 1935.  The copyrights of the picture are held by his son.  I thank Mr Chatterley for letting me have a copy of this for my site.  Please read Johns email under "Comments"

Aston Hall was  built between 1618 and 1635 for Sir Thomas Holte.

Accles and Pollock produced cars in 1900-1901 in PERRY BARR

Aston Villa was founded in 1874, under a lampost in Heathfield Road !

Aldridge Road, corner of Wellhead Lane - Who said "Air brushing" was a new thing?

Is this looking towards the Zig - Zag Bridge?

Francis Ashbury was a Missionary , who with John Westley established the Methodist Episcopal Church in America

 Miss Austin (Was a School Mistress in Aston Lane, read her obituary)

AAA Championships,  Abbott, Accles, Ackrill, Adams, Adamson, Adcock, Adderbrook, Addyes, Addyes School, Aden, Adie, Aiakin, Akson, Albert, Albutt, Alcock, Alderson, Aldington, Aldridge, Aldridge House, Aldridge Road, Alexander Stadium, Alexander Stadium, Allchurch, Allday, Allder, Allen, Allender

ALFORD, Allin, Allport, Allridge, Allsop, Allum, Alston, Altree, Alford and Aston, Allender, Allotments, Allridge, Alltree, Allum, Amatt, Ambler, Ambrose, Ambulance, Ammunition Cottages, Amos, Anderton, Andrew, Andrews, Ankcorn, Annis, Annell, Ansells Brewery, Anson, Anst, Anstey, Antrobus, 

Appleby, Appleton, Arblaster, Archer, Arden Cottage, Armstrong, Armfield, Arnold, Arrow, Arthars, Arthurs, Asbury, Ash, Ashbury, Ashby, Ashford, Ashkam, Ashkey, ASHLEY, Ashleigh House, Ashted, Ashton, Askey, Aspinal, Aspinall, Aspley, Assinder, Astbury, Astley, Aston, Aston and Perry Barr, Aston Brook Through Aston Manor, Aston Lane, Aston Manor Crick Club, Aston Villa Football Club, Athars, Atherley, Atkins, Attwood, Auction Booklet, Auden, Austin Moore, Austin, Averill, Avern, Avery,   Avorill, Aylesford,  Ayris  

Geoff Beach (growing up days in Perry Barr)

Thomas Edgar Ball (was an Aston Villa Footballer who was buried and is BURIED in St. Johns Churchyard

The Boars Head

	Boars Head –the land lords were:  Mr William Williams, William Barber, Thomas Cooper and also Henry Quinsey Reproduced with the kind permission of Birmingham Central Library - Local Studies Dept.
With thanks to Colin Hickman for sharing  this picture with us

    Perry Hall is the ancient seat of the Gough family, is now in the possession of the Hon. Frederick Gough Calthorpe, who has succeeded to the manor and mansion.  There are two free schools for the education of the children of the poor.  A beacon, upon an eminence, in the midst of Coldfield, which can be seen at the distance of 20 miles, is said (by some of the Dryasdust school of antiquaries) to have been the spot whence the ancient Druids announced their sacrifices; an enclosure near it still bears the name of Druid heath.  There is at Perry Barr a second-class station of the Grand Junction Railway.  Perry Barr is a township with a population in 1841 of 983, and with an area of 3,770 acres; assessed to the Property tax in 1842 of £6,685.

Brick Kiln Lane is now Beeches Road

Bill Switchgear  opened a factory in Aston Lane in 1936

The Boars Head Is situated on the Aldridge Road, Perry Barr.  The original inn was built approx 1758, and was demolished in 1936.

Birchfield Road more pictures -  Birchfield Road School - Birchfield Library 

To see more photographs of Birchfield Road, please go to this absolutely fantastic website:- 

http://www.search.digitalhandsworth.org.uk/engine/search/default.asp

Birchfield Cinema opened in 1913  and closed in 1962

The Toll Gate on the Birchfield Road

Reproduced with the kind permission of Birmingham Central Libraries, Local History Studies Dept

William Booth was a forger and eventually was hanged for his crimes ! He was tried twice, hung twice and BURIED twice !!!

    1864: As described above.  The church of St. John (opened A.D. 1832) was built and endowed at the sole expense of the late John Gough, Esq., it is a neat stone building in the Gothic style and has nave, chancel, tower, organ and clock, and contains a handsome painted window representing, St. Peter, St John and St. Paul.  The benefice of Perry Barr is a perpetual curacy, valued at £200 per annum, in the presentation of the Hon Frederick Henry W. G. Calthorpe, M.P, the Rev Charles B Snepp, LL.M, is the incumbent. 

On the Heights stands the new college of Oscott, for the education of Roman Catholics; the old college of Oscott, nearly destroyed by fire a few years since, is now used as an orphanage, and conducted by the Sisters of Mercy of Handsworth.  There is a railway station.  The population in 1861 was 1,061, the area is 3,770 acres.  This district includes a portion of Birchfield where a school church was erected in 1862 at a cost of £1,150 by voluntary contributions; it is a neat brick building in the Elizabethan style and is used for evening schools, and divine service on Sunday and Wednesday evenings.  HAMPSTEAD is a hamlet, about a mile and a quarter west of the church.  Parish Clerk, John Bailey

Birchfield Harriers was founded in 1876 (see under "B" - Birchfield Harriers)

Blakelands Farm was behind the Boars Head

Birds Hill is now the Park Hotel, on the Aldridge Road

Who lived in Beech Tree Cottages?

The Beeches Road was once called Brick Kiln Lane ..........

Baby found in Cardboard Box, Bache, Baddeley, Badham, Badhams, Badsey, Bagford, Baggott, Bagley, Bagnal, Bagnall, Bailey, Bailiff, Baines, Baker, Bakery, Baldock, Baldwin, Bales, Ball, Ballard, Baller, Band Of Hope Magazine, Banks,

banner, banner of faith magazine, barber, barbour, barboune, barham, bark, barker, barnaby, barnard, barnbrook, barn croft, barnes, barnett, barn piece, barr, barr chapel, barr farm, barr common farm, barr meadow, barratt, barret, barrett, barrington, barrow, barrows, bartlam, bartleet, bartley, barton, barwell, bashby, bashford, bass, bastable, batchelor, bate, bates, bath, batson, batt, baugh, baxter, bayford, bayles, bayley

Baylis, Bayliss, Baynes, Beaby, Beak, Beach, Beaman, Beard, Bearmore, Beards, Beardsmore, Berman, Beatie, Beattie, Beavain, Beawman, Beck, Beckett, Beddow, Bedson, Bedsward, Bedworth, Beech, Beech Tree Cottages, Beecham, Beeches Road, Beeston, Belcher, Bell, Bell Ringers, Bellairs

Bellamy, Bellingham, Bells in St. Johns, Belwood, Bench, Bennett, Bennett-Wilkins, bennets meadow, Bensley, Benson, Bentley, Benton, Berry, Berry Field, bEST, Bethron, Bettbridge, Betts, Bevan, Bevett, BEYNTON, Bickerdike, Bickerstaff, Bickley, Bicycles, Biddle, Bill, Billingham, Billingsly, Binfield, Binsley, Birch,  Birchfield, Birchfield Harriers, Birchfield House, Birchfield Road, Birchfield Road Cinema, Birchfield Road School, Birchfield Underpass, Bird, 

Birds, Birds Hill, Birkenhead, birkett, Birmingham Corporation, Birmingham Metal and Munitions Co., Birtley, Bishop, Bishton, Bissell, Black, blackadder, Blackford, Blackhurst, Blacksnord, Blackwell, Blade Mill, Blades, Badon, Blake, Blakenells, Blakelands Farm, Blakmere, Blaxley, Bleakley, Blewitt, Blick, Blocksedge, Blomefield, Blood, Bloomer, Bloomfield House, Blower, Bloxham, Bloxidge, Bloxton, Bluck, Bluebell Villa, Boars Head,  

Boden, Bodington, Bogaerde Van Den, Bolt, Bolton, Bolwell, Bonaker, Bond, Boneham, Bonehill, Bonehill Family, Bonell, Booker, Boonham, Boot. Booth, Boothby, Boothly, Booths Farm, Boshell, Boswell, Botham, Bott, Botterell, Bough, Boughton, Boughey, Boulter, Boulton, Boultree, Bourne, Bowcutt, Bowden, Bowe, Bowen, BOY, BOYE 

BRACKENBURY, BRADBURY, BRADELY, BRADFORD, BRADLEY, BRADNOCK, BRAGG, BRAGTON, BRAHAM, BRAIN, BRAITHWAITE, BRAMPTON, BRAN, BRANLINGham THORPE

 Bragg, bRANNAN, BRANSON, BRANT, BRATT, BRASS, BRAWMANS, BRAWN, BRAYS, BRAZIER, BREARLEY, BRENT, BREVITT BRICK KILN COTTAGE, BRICK KILN LANE, BRIDGE, BRIDGE TRUST, BRIDGENS, BRIDES, BRIDGEWATER, BRIDGWOOD, BRIGHTON, BRINDLE, BRINDLEY, BRINSFORD, BRINSLEY, BRISTOW, BRITTLE, BROADHURST, BROCKETT, BROCKITT, BROMWICH, BROMWYCH, BROOKER, BROOKES, BROOKLANDS FARM, BROOKWELL, BROOMFIELD HOUSE, BROOMHEAD, BROOMY LEASOW, BROTHER, BROUGH. 

Brown, Browne, Brownson, Bruce, BRUNT Bryan, Bubby, Buck, Buckley, Budd, Buer,  Buffery, Bugin's Farm, BULFORD, Bullivant, Bullock, Bulls Head, Bulmer, Bumpas, Buncher, Burberry, Burdon, Burford, Burgess, Burgum, Burk, Burke, Burkett, Burlington Hall, Burman, Burn, Burns, Burnshaw, Burry, Burt, Burton, Burysam, Bush, Bushel, Bushell, Busler, Butcher, Butchers, Butler, Butterworth, Butterley, Buttery, Buttfield, Butts, Byefield, Byliss, Byrche, Byrne  

Perry Barr Institute was opened in 1874, but is now Birchfield Community Library- DEMOLISHED DECEMBER 2006

Perry Barr Institute was demolished in December 2006

Where did the Cumberland Family live?

Church Lane  -   Note that this was taken when St. Johns in the distance had Pinnacles!	Church Lane Cottage (Sent anonymously)

COMMENTS RECEIVED

Christ Church was on the corner of the Walsall Road and Aldridge Road 1897: We take the following from the Perry Barr “Church Magazine” – “The past month has brought with it many serious losses to our parish, and we have been compelled to say “good-bye” to quite a large number of those who, by kindly sympathy and loyal work, have proved themselves living and loving members of the Church of Christ in this place.

Reproduced with kindness by Birmingham Central Library, Local Studies Dept

With Thanks to www.oldladywood.co.uk

When did the canal subside? (see under "C" - Canals)

July 22nd 1886
The Honorable A C G and Mrs. Calthorpe gave their Annual Treat to all the School Children of the Parish on July 22^nd, 1886. There were 400 present, besides the teachers and a happy afternoon was spent in the part. Mr. Edwards had provided every form of entertainment, cricket, football, fishing, races and all kinds of games. Tea was served in a large tent which held the whole party.

Christ Church, the corner of Aldridge/Walsall Road

Reproduced with the kind permission of Birmingham Central Library Local Studies Dept	Inside Christ Church Perry Barr

Church Lane

The original Crown and Cushion was demolished in 1887

CHURCH TAVERN

Cows caused Havoc in Mrs Burns Newsagents Shop in Birchfield Road - read the full story under "B"

The Crown and Cushion was where the Aston Villa Football Team used as their headquarters, they used a nearby blacksmiths shed for the dressing room.

	The Crown and Cushion Landlords were Joseph Palmer 1872, Thomas Fones– 1868,  and the Misses Rileys Demolishing the CROWN AND CUSHION
(source unknown)

Mrs Humphries worked at the Clifton Cinema- Did you? - See photograph on the Humphries family page

Gazette May 1886:  Mr. Chatwin prepared plans for a new chancel with organ and vestry. Perry Barr church

Christ Church was erected in 1862 demolished in 1926

Cabs, Caddick, Cadmore, Cadwell, Caine, Cale, Calladine, Calthorpe, Cambell, Camm, Canal, Canal Office, Canal Side Cottage, Canal Subsidence, Canal Walk, Canda House, Candelent, Candler, Candwell, Cannock Chase Railway Colliery Co., Cannop, Cantello, CANTERBURY CROSS, Capener, Capewell, Capwell, Carbury, Cardwick, Cargill, Carls, Carlton House, Carney, Carneye, Carns, Carloss, Carr, Cart, Cart Accidents, Carter, Cartwright, Cary, Cashmore, Castle, Caswell, Cattell, The Cedars, Chadwick, Chain Walk, Challenor, Chamberlain, Chambers, Channing, Chapel, Chapel Field, Chappell, Chamberlain, Charleton, Charnels, Chase, Chasstey, Chatterley, Chatwin, Chawner, Chebsy, Checketts, Cheddleston House, Cherry,  Cheshire, Chester, Chester Road, Chesterfield House, Cheston, Chettle, Chevasse, Chicketts, Chicketts, Child, Child Accident, Childs, Chillingworth, Chin, Chislett, Chopping, Christ Church, Christ Church National School for Boys, Christmas Day, Church Bazaar, Church Bells, 

Church Lane, Church of England Cemetary, Cinder Hill, Cinderella Place, Clark, Clarke, Clay, Claybrook, Claydon, Clayton, Cleaver,  Clegg, Clent Villa, CLENTON, Clemson, Cleobury, Clewer, Cliff, Clifford, Clisold, Clive, Close, Clothing Club, Cloughs, Cluff, Clutterbuck, Coach House, Coal club, Coal Merchants, Cockagne, Coffee House Manager, Colbeck, Colborne,  Colbourne, Colder, Coldicott, Cole, Cole Croft, Coleman, Coles, Coley, Colkrell, Collector of Taxes, Colley, Collier, Colliery Cottage, Collins, Comes, Compton, Concert, Conigreie, Connolly, Connop, Connor, Constables, Constantine, Cony, Cook, Cooke, Cooknell, Cooks, Cooksey, Coombes,  Cooper,  

Cooper, Cope, Copley, Copner, Copy Leasow, Corbett,Cork, Corley, Corney, Cornick, Corniforth, Corning, Coroner, Corwill, Costiff, Cottam, Cotterill, Cotton, Coulton, Councilors, Cow Leech Farrier, Cows, Cox, coxon, Crablace, Craddock, Craggs, Crane, Craner, Crasp, Crass, Craves, Cray, Cresswell, Crew, Crisp, Croft, Crofts, Crompton, Cromwell, Crooks, Crosbie, Cross, Cross Road, Crossway Lane Cottages, Crow, Crowley, Crowson, Crown and Cushion, Crump, Cryer, Cudd, Culkin, Cullett, Cullwick, Cumberland, Cumming, Cummings, Curan, Curran, Curtis, Curtiss, Curtler, Cutler, Cycles, Cyclists.

What was Henry Dainters occupation?

John De Pirie enclosed Little Barr Park

Dabbs, Dade, Dadge, Daft, Dagus, Dainter, Dainty, Dale, Dalglesh, Dalton, Damant, Danby, Dance, Daniel, Daniels, DANKS, Dansett, Darby, Darlaston, Darling, Darrall, Darrell, Dartmouth House, Date, Davenhill, Davenport, David, Davidsons, Davies, Davis, Davy, 

Dawber, Dawson, Day, Day School, Days Building, De Pirie, Deakin, Dean, Deary, Debalze, Deeds of Birmingham, Deeley, Denham, Denmark Hill, Dennis, Dent, Derrington, Destruction, Detectives, Devereaux, Devereux, Devonport, Dexter, Dibbs, Dicken, Dickins, Dickinson, Diggins, Dilks, Dillon, Dilworth, Dimmock, Dingley, Dipple, Dixon, Dobbs, Doctors, Dod, Dodd, Dodge, Doe Bank Farm, Dogs, Dolan, Dooley, Dormer, Dorset, Dorsett, Dounleavy, Dove Bank, Dowler, Downes, Downing, Doyle, Drain, Dramatic Society, Draper, Dresser, Drew, Drew and Son, Diffold, Drinkwater, Driscoll, Drunk and Disorderly, Drury House, Dryhurst, Duckworth, Dudgeon, Dudley, Duffell, Duffield, Duffort, Dugdale, Dunhill, Dunkley, Dunn, Dursley, Dutton, Dyer

How long did it take Mr Davis to ride his bike from Perry Barr to Rhyl?

I welcome your comments, so please email:- perrybarr1@blueyonder.co.uk   PLEASE ADD PERRY BARR IN SUBJECT LINE

Should you find that you are unable to access any of the links, and you want information about any name listed, please email me and I will cut and paste the information that I have for you.