Peter Mason File 13

Bar Road to Ramper Road

Click any image to expand.

Artefacts found by Brian Morton 17 Blythe Road, Worksop, S81 0HP, on Paddock to north of Croft House, Beckingham which is being built on by G.A. Mell, 10 houses. Brian Morton later moved to Grove Street, Retford.

LIST OF FINDS
1 Bell clap
1 Medieval furniture handle
2 Decorative studs
1 Roman brooch
1 ½ silver long cross penny Henry
1 Stirrup (iron)
2 5p pieces
1 £1.00 forgery
2 krauwinkle jettons
1 Dinky toy lorry circa 1950
2 Musket balls
3 Small buckles
1 Strap end
1 ½ buckle
1 Small zoomorphic stud
2 Roman coins
1 Large thimble
1 Sherwood cap badge
1 Furniture fitting
2 George III ½ d
1 George III ½ d overstamped BOWKET
2 George III pennies
1 Small decorative plate
1 Dandy button

List of artefacts found by Brian Morton of Grove Street, Retford with a metal detector on the paddock immediately to the north of Croft House at the time it was being built on by G.A. Mell in August 1994 and now called Beckon Meadows (Watson Park).

CROFT HOUSE

For many years this was the principal house in the village and until 1779 it was supported by around 600 acres of land. The only other comparable estate was the Hall family but it was not until the 18th Century that their property came into the hands of one person, ie Thomas Hall. The Church was the third big landowner in the parish, this being divided between the vicars glebe and the Prebendal land.

The Croft House estate seems to have started when John Beckingham gave land in Beckingham to the Priory of Broadholme in Nottinghamshire but near to Saxilby in Lincolnshire.

When the Priory was dissolved in 1536 the property in Beckingham passed John Williams, knight (probably Williamson0 and Edward North, knight, of Walkeringham who had licence to alienate land to William Spurre whose daughter and heir was married to Sir Brian Lascelle, knight. It thus passed into the Lascelles family. Henry Lascelles of Beckingham was on the losing side in the Civil War and in 1650 was fined £300 for joining forces against Parliament.

Soon after this the property was bought by Alderman Meynell and continued in that family until the death of Godfrey Meynell when in 1779 the heirs to the estate sold it as a whole to William and Robert Cross of Gringley and William Flint of Beckingham.

Neg. 1a
Croft House Farm, NW aspect from Bar Road North , Beckingham. 08/93. Note the tiled roof.

CROFT HOUSE AND THE MEYNELL ESTATE OF BECKINGHAM

This estate appears to have been formed when John Beckingham of Beckingham gave property at Beckingham to the Priory of Broadholme. See below extracts from various sources.

History of Nottinghamshire by David Kaye, p.57

“At Broadholme in Harby parish on the borders of Lincolnshire stood one of only two houses of Premonstratensian canonesses in England. This was a late foundation in the region of Edward II, whose consort Isabella became its patroness, giving to the house land worth 8 marks (L5 6s 8d) in February 1327. Edward’s mother, Queen Eleanor of Castile, had died in this parish in 1290, so obviously it had great significance for her only surviving son. At the time of the compilation of the Valor Ecclesiasticus its annual value had fallen to a mere L18.”

Extract from Associated Architectural Societies Reports, 1905
Page 67

The Priory of Broadholme … Shortly afterwards however, the Priory received one of the most valuable, as well as the latest endowments. This was in 1394, when John Beckingham, co Nottinghamshire, obtained licence to grant to the Prioress and Convent of Broadholme four messages, twelve tofts, a windmill, 260 acres of land, 50 acres of meadow, 24 of underwood and certain rents at Beckingham in the Clay, near Gainsborough, the whole being held in socage of Thomas Archbishop of York … this property was valued in 1535 at L5 15s 4d.

Possibly we find a clue to John Beckingham’s interest in Broadholme in the fact that one Agnes Beckingham was at the time among the nuns there.

Thoroton p 315 v.III

“The jury 18 R.2 found it not to any damage if the king granted to John Beckingham of Beckingham in the Clay, esquire, that he might give two messages, two tofts, fifty acres of land, ten of meadow, six of wood, and 6x 8d rent, with the appurtenances of Beckingham, to the chaplain of the chantry of the blessed Mary in the parish church of Beckingham, all which were held of Thomas, Archibishop of York in socage, paying 3s yearly. There was the like return of another Adquod damnum that year, that the said John might give four messages, twelve tofts, one windmill, two hundred and sixty acres of land, fifty of meadow, twenty and four of …. Shillings rent, with the appurtenances in the said Beckingham, to the prioress of Broadholme, all which were likewise was anther that might give one mess. Twenty four acres (p.316) of land, five of meadow, with the appurtenances in the said Beckingham to Richard vicar of that church, which were likewise held in socage of the said archbishop, paying 12d per annum.”

DISSOLUTION OF THE MONASTRIES.

Broadholme was dissolved in 1536. Along with Blyth it was one of the first to go.

Thoroton p316 vIII

“All that tenement lying in Beckingham, late belonging to the priory of Broadholme and late in the tenure of William Spurre, and all lands and tenements with it demise, February 24 34 H8 were grantd to John Williams, knight, and Edward North, knight and to the heirs of Edwards, who had then also licence to alienate lands there in the tenure of William Spencer to William Spurre and his heirs, whose daughter and heir was married to Sir Brian Lascells, knight, who procured her to convery her land in Beckingham to Gervas Lascells, his younger son, whose grandchild and heir enjoyed it.”

p.316-317

The owners of Beckingham town 1612, are thus set down, Sir Richard Williamson, knight, Sir Brian Lascells, knight, the church of Southwell, Francis Williamson of Walkeringham, gentlemen, John Hall, Roger Nettleship, John Damns, Hamond Calton, Roger Hall, Martin Hill (Hall), Nicolas Noddell, John Dawson, James Taylor, William Halles, John Fraunces, Charles Hall, Richard Hodgeshon, Robert Noddell, Gyles Maire, etc.”

WILL OF DOROTHY KEPEAS OF BECKINGHAM 08/12/1534

As written in the file
In the name of gode Amen.  The viijth daie of the monethe of decembre in the yere of our lorde gode a thousande five hundreth and  xxxiiij I dorathe kepeas of Bekyagham the daughther of  Richarde Kepeas of matergay, hole in mynde and goode in remembrance, makyth my testament in this maner.

First I bequethe my soule to gode allmighti, our ladie sancta marie, and to all the sancts in heven, and my bodie to be buryed in the churche of Hallhalows of Bekyngham afore the alter of our Ladie.  Also I gyffe and bequeathe unto the vicar for my principall accordynge to the actea of parliament.

Also I gyffe and bequethe unto the high alter in bekyngham churche xijd.  Also I gyffe and bequethe utno the vicar bekyngham to pray for my soule and also christan soules xxd.

Also I gyffe and bequethe to agnes, dorathe and grace, daughters of William Daweson if est retforde xxli, which is in the hands of the saide William, and whiche the said William shulde have paide unto me the daye of my mariege.  Also I gyffe and bequethe unto every cottage house in bekyngham, matersay and matersay Thorpe, jd.

The residue of all my goods, in whate place or in whose hands they be, I give and bequethe unto my brother William Spure of bekyngham, John Vessy of matersay, and Agnes Kepeas, my syster, which William, John and Agnes I make my full and lawefulle executors, thes men being witness: John Grenley of Beckingham, Thomas Eleson, and John Kirke of the same, with other moo, the daye and yere above written.

How I think it should be
In the name of god Amen.  The eight day of the month of December in the year of our lord god a thousand five hundred and thirty four I Dorothy Kepeas of Beckingham the daughter of Richard Keapas of Mattesey, whole in mind and good in rememberancem maketh my testament in this manner.  First I bequeath my soul to god almighty, our lady Saint Marie and  to all hallows of Beckingham afore the alter of our Lady.  Also I give and bequeath unto the vicar for my principal according to the act of parliament.

Also I give and bequeath unto the high alter in Beckingham church xijd. Also I give and bequeath unto the vicar Beckingham to pray for my soul and all Christian souls xxd.

Also I give and bequeath to Agnes, Dorothy and Grace, daughters of William Dawson of East Retford xxli, which is in the hands of the said William, and which the said William should have paid unto me the day of my marriage.  Also I give and bequeath unto every cottage house in Beckingham, Mattersey and Mattesey Thorpe, jd.

The residue of all my goods, in what place or in whose hands they be, I give and bequeath unto my brother William Spurre, of Beckingham, John Vessy of Mattersey, and Agnes Kepeas, my sister, which William, John and Agnes I make my full and lawful executors, these men being witness: John Grenly of Beckingham,  Thomas Eleson and John Kirke of the same, with other month, the day and year above written.

Probatum fuit praedictum testatmentum in domo capitulari Suthwell dio mensis —- anno domini 1535: comissa que est administrallo amnium bonorum quae fuerunt virginis defunctae executoribus praenominatis in testamento, binis corun viz. Willelmo Spure et Johanni Vessy in forma juris juratis, tertia, viz. agnete, tunc in minoritate consitituta, de cujus securitate constat per quoddam scriptum obligatorium.

This will has been copied from the transcription in “Visitations of Southwell minster”.

WILL 06/01/1617

In the name of God Amen the sixth daye of January 1617, I Roger Lasselle of Beckingham in the Countie of Nottingham Gentilman being sicke in bodie but yet whole and perfect rememberance thanks be given to god.  Consideringe the mortality which to every man is due and therefore make this my laste Will and Testament in manor and forme followinge.  First I bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty God my saviour and Redeemer by the merits of whose person I have to be saved my bodie to be buried in Beckingham Church by the discretion of my executor.  First I give unto ye pore people of Beckingham, tene pounds to e within tow yeares next after my death to be distributed every year at the discretion of the Churchwardens and Overseers and the said to continue forever at the disposing of the Churchwardens and Overseers of Beckingham and distributed by there discretion.  Item I give unto my Brother Francis Lasselle his wife five pounds.  Item I give to my Brother Francis Lasselles’ eldest sonne Brian Lasselle tene pounds.  Item I give unto my brother Francis’ eldest daughter tene pounds to be distributed to her when she shall accomplish the age of twenty and one yeare.  Item I give to Isabell Beresford Thirty pounds to be payed when she shall accomplish the age of Twenty and one yeare or lawfully married.  Item I give to Brian Beresford twenty pounds the same money to be payed when he shall accomplish the age of twenty and one years.  Item I give to Christopher Beresford fortie shillings. Item I give to Elizabeth Vahan (sic) (Vaughan?) ten pounds.  Item I give unto Brian Lasselles my brother Digbie Lasselles his Sonne tene pounds.  Item I give unto Roger Hall the Sonne of Martine Hall twenty pounds to be payed to him within one halfe yeare next after my death.  Item I give unto Thomas Hall the Sonne of Ould Roger Hall twentie pounds to be payed within one yeare next after my death.  Item I give unto Anthonie Hall fortie shillings.  Item I give unto John Hall the Sonne of Martine Hall fortie shillings.  Item I give unto ould Roger Hall fortie shillings. Item I give unto Alice Dawson fortie shillings the wife of John Dawson.  Item I give unto Jonie Hall forties shillings, the daughter of ould Roger Hall.  Item I give unto Mary Hall forty shillings shillings the daughter of ould Roger Hall.  Item I give unto Margorie Hall the daugher of ould Roger Hall fortie shillings.  Item I give to Dorathie Hall the daugher of ould roger Hall fortie shillings. Item I give to Anne Hall the daughter of Martine Hall fortie shillings.  Item I give to Jonie hall the wife of Martine Hall fortie shillings.  Item I gie unto Edward Hare of Carlton give pounds. Item I give twentie pounds to be bestowed on my neighbours and the pore the day of Burial accordinge to my sister Vaughans’s discretion and my executor.  Item I give unto Anne Hall the wife of younge Roger Hall Size Silver spoons one Silver Boulde one Silver Salte foure paire of good Lyninge sheets tow dozen of good Lyning Napkins and Longe Lyning and Table clothe one good feather bed one boulster tow pillows tow coverlids tow blanketts one bed coveringe, one bedsteade.  Item I give unto Jane Barterop her house wherein she dwelleth for one and twentie yeares if she so longe lives paying tow pound the yeare.  Item I give unto Thomas Hall all hat land which I lately purchased of my Brother Thomas Lasselles and others as by the deed appearth payinge therefore to my executors the some of tow hundredeth and foure score pounds and to my Brother Thomas Lasselles one hundereth ounds when it is dew unto him which I owe unto my Brother for the same lands.  Item I give unto Rogers Lasselles my Brother Francis his Sonne and his heires all that farme with the apptynances which I purchased of James Taylor in Beckingham.  Item I give unto my Cosen Christopher Berisford all that Land in Long Ledenham which I lately purchased of him.  Item I give unto May Berisford fyftie pounds.  Item I give unto my brother Francis Lasselles Foure score pounds.  Item I give unto my Brother Thomas Lasselles Children fortie pounds to be divided amongst them.  Item I give unto my Brother Gervis Lasselles Tenne pounds.  Item I give to his children Twentie pounds. Item I give unto my Brother Mathews (?) children Thirty pounds.  Item I give unto my Brother Sir George Lasselles Knight five pounds to make him a Ringe. Item I give unto my neece Roods(?) his daughter fortie shillings. Item I give unto my Cosen George Lasselles of Kneeton Twentie pounds. Item I give unto ye repyre of Barbanke fortie shillings. Item I give to Elizabeth Walles Servant to Roger Hall fortie shillings. Item I give unto my Brother Francis his Children fortie pounds to be divided amongst them. The rest of my goods unbequeathed, my debts payed and funeral expences discharged, I give unto the saide George Lassells whome I make and appoint my sole and Lawful executor of this my Last Will and Testament And my good friends Mr Thomas Clud and unto Roger Paynes Towe shillings And I publish this my last will revoking all former wills
Roger Lasselle

These beinge Witnesses

Her mke
Winifride Vaughan

Thomas Hall

Inr
William Woode

His mke
John Hall

His mke
Roger Hall

His mke
Thomas Johnsome

His mke
Roger Hall ye younger

BECKINGHAM REGISTER

Birth Henrie Lassels son of Bryan Lassels, gentleman & baptised
Francis Lassels his wife27 May 1629

Marriage Gervase Walsham of Gringley gentleman & married
Mary Lassels, gentlewoman16 May 1630

Lassels starred at top of list of burials for 1630

Deaths Francis Lassels wife of Bryan Lassels, gentleman buried 13 July 1630
Bryan Lassels gentlemanburied13 July 1630
Margaret Lassels daughter of Bryan LasselsburiedJuly 1630
gentleman, deceased
Gervas Lassels son of Bryan Lassels, gentlemanburiedJuly 1630
…..Lassels Widowburied1630

The deaths were probably a result of a visitation of the plague, which affected the district at this time.
Copnall in “Nottinghamshire in the 17th Century” records page 102.
Misterton. Plague. On 15 July 1631 a warrant was granted to restrain inhabitants of Misterton “being infected with the plague, from wandering to other townships, but that they should remain in home.”

THE BOOK OF GAINSBOROUGH – IAN BECKWITH p35

At Torksey Lord Jermyn was to the King, though his find house was held by a small Parliamentary garrison, Marmaduke Darcy of Knaith, George Lassells of Beckingham in Nottinghamshire, Sir Thomas Williamson of East Markham and Gainsborough, were local gentlemen with the Royal Garrison in Newark.

Thoroton, Book III p.230
The Williamsons of Walkeringham were connected with the Williamson family of East Markham.

Nottinghamshire Villages – Beckingham part II of Granby
Printed in the Retford Times, 12 September 1962
In 1650 the youthful Henry Lassells of Beckingham was fined one sixth of the value of his estate, L300, “for being seduced by evil company to join the forces against Parliament in the later wars.”
It is also mentioned that the victors in that strife apportioned some of the prebendal lands to increase the stipend of the minister of Edingley.
The aforementioned Henry Lassells was probably the son of Bryan and Francis, baptised by 1629.
See above note from Parish Records.

CROFT HOUSE AND THE MEYNELL ESTATE, BECKINGHAM

Thoroton vol. III p.317 Beckingham “Alderman Meynell purchased lands here which are now his sons.” Thoroton’s History was published circa 1677 so the estate must have been sold by the Lassells and purchased by the Meynell before that date.

The Hearth Tax Returns of 1664 and 1674 for Beckingham do not mention Lassells or Meynells.

The first mention of a Mr Meynell in local records is in the Parish Registers of 1683/84 when what appears to be a rating assessment has the it “Mr Meynell and his tenants 11” (Eleven). This seems to refer to houses rather than to hearths.

Nottinghamshire Subsidies 1689. The main estates in Beckingham were rated as follows –
Sir Thomas Williamson £7 13 0
Thomas Hall senior £11 14 0
Francis Meynell £24 0 0

The Meynell family had and still have an estate at Laughton near Gainsborough and another in Staffordshire.

The ownership of the Beckingham estate continued with the Meynells into the 18th century. At the death of Littleton Poyntz Meynell on 26th September 1751 his will disinherited his eldest son, Godfrey, apart from an annuity of L100. the estates in Staffordshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Beckingham, Nottinghamshire were inherited by Hugo, the younger son, who proceeded to have a parliamentary act passed, giving Godfrey the Beckingham estate of 663 acres for life on condition that he didn’t contest the will.

1757 Towns Book of Beckingham. Minutes of Vestry Meetings.
“Officers for ye year 1757 – Mr Meynell Esq. (sic) Constable.”
This indicates that he was resident in the village and taking part in village affairs.

After the death of Godfrey in 1777 and the Beckingham Enclosures of 1776-79, the heirs to the estate sold it to Robert and William Cross of Gringley and William Flint of Beckingham, who died circa 1783. Robert Cross built a new farmstead on a block of newly enclosed land at Pear Tree Hill and one of the heirs of William Flint, (John Brown and Joseph Stephenson), ie. Joseph Stephenson built Wood Farm, John Brown having died.

Croft House or The Hall as it then was, seems to have had a checkered career passing from Joseph Stephenson to Richard Ward of Bawtry, to Elizabeth Wainwright of Gringly, to Miss Elizabeth Wailey or Whaley who in 1836 sold t to Robert Duckle. Along with the house Miss Whaley had no. 116 a five acre paddock and no. 53 5a.0r.29p called South Field Close.

William Cross who took over Pear Tree Hill Farm when his father Robert junior retired to the The Limes on High Street, became bankrupt in 1832. He appartently moved to Croft House, probably as a tenant of Robert Duckle, for on 12 June 1838 William Cross’s wife advertied in the Stamford Mercury that she was re-opening her school for girls on 12 July. The 1841 census shows the William Cross family and pupils living on High Street, presumably at Croft House. Williams’ occupation is given as Registrar.

Someone, probably Robert Duckle, put land with the house, which had hitherto had only five acres of grass attached and made the holding into a farm. Perhaps it was he who built the farmstead to the east of the house.

Mr Oswald Harrison says that Croft House was owned by his grandfather in 1890’s, then occupied by Anyan, then Ranby and Thornhill, followed by Richard Selby in the 1903’s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Richard Selby sold in 1972 and 1973. H Proudley said Hanks was the tenant before Ranby. Ranby married a Mrs. Thornhill.

LANE END COTTAGE ON MOSLEY YARD LANE

SALE OF CROFT HOUSE IN 1973 AND FARMLAND IN 1972 AND 1973

Croft House Farm was owned by J. Richard Selby during and after the war until it was sold by auction part of 28 March 1972 and part on 4 September 1973. The property was split up and ceased to be a farm, reverting to roughly the situation of 1820 when the house was owned by Miss Wailey with an acreage of five acres, no11, plus a South Field.

28 March 1972

Croft House Land Auction. See catalogue.

Lot 10 o.s 229 2.115 acres Prob.from H Smith Hayes Son & Richmond L1000
Lot 11 o.s 230 4.336 acres H Mell L1100
Lot 12 31.311 acres Wood Lane J Proudley L6500
Lot 12a 26.792 acres Bar Road J Proudley L6500
Lot 12b 33.999 acres Crabtree Lane J Proudley L8200
Lot 14 13.983 acres Crabtree Lane Tomlinson L2400
Lot 15 o.s 387 7.771 acres Ramper Corner H Smith L2100

4th September 1973

Croft House Farm Auction. See also catalogue.

Lot 8 House withdrawn at L24,000. Bought later by Miss Angela Sykes

Lot 9 Farm buildings and stackyard, bought by Mr H T Pickering of the Dairy Farm for L10,000

Lot 10 18 acres of grassland withdrawn at L11,500. Probably bought later by Proudleys of Home Farm.? Not verified.

Lot 11 Cottage bought by T Pickering for L3,500

As can be seen above much of this land was bought by Proudleys of Home Farm with the proceeds of the sale of their two paddocks situated between Home Farm and the bye-pass, to Richmonds, Builders of Retford, who then built the Paddocks and Grove housing estate. Proudleys built Walton Hills Farmstead on their newly bought land. The paddock to the south of Croft House was sold by Miss Sykes circa 1975 to the builder of The Croft housing estate.

The paddock to the north of the house was sold to GA Mell of Finningley on which he built the estate which he called “Beckon Meadows”. (Watson Park).

As can be seen above much of this land was bought by Proudleys of Home Farm with the proceeds of the sale of their two paddocks situated between Home Farm and the bye-pass, to Richmonds, Builders of Retford, who then built the Paddocks and Grove housing estate. Proudleys built Walton Hills Farmstead on their newly bought land. The paddock to the south of Croft House was sold by Miss Sykes circa 1975 to the builder of The Croft housing estate.

The paddock to the north of the house was sold to GA Mell of Finningley on which he built the estate which he called “Beckon Meadows”. (Watson Park).

CROFT HOUSE, ONCE CALLED THE HALL

When the estate given by John de Beckingham to the Prioress of Broadholme was in existence it must have been regarded as a grange producing rent or profit, rather than a grange supplying produce to the nunnery. Therefore there was probably a manger’s or tenant’s house on the same site.

After the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VII, 1536 in the case of Broadholme, the property passed to the Lassells family who were connected to the Lassells of Elston, Nottinghamshire. Several members of this Beckingham branch of the family died of the plague in 1630 and the family had a further setback in 1650 when Henry Lassells of Beckingham was fined for being on the wrong side of the Civil War.

Sometime in the 17th Century the estate was, according to Thoroton, purchased by Alderman Meynell, and it remained with the family until 1779 when it was purchased by Robert and William Cross of Gringley and William Flint later of Beckingham.

But there is no clue as to who built the present or previous houses. This present house is listed and is given the following dates and description – see page 11.

The 1736 map by Colbeck shows a substantial house that may have been reduced in size by 1777 when the enclosure map was made.

The house in 1997 has red pantiles that replace the Welsh slate of pre-1973. The gables have parapets with stone keelers. The are rendered but in the northern section the rendering appears to hide good quality tow and a quarter inch bricks. The room at the NW corner has been turned into a garage. It has an interesting fireplace and may have lost part of its south end to facilitate the construction of a passageway to a ‘front door’.

The cellars were filled in or blocked off by Miss Sykes. There is a servants’ staircase ingeniously constructed to lead from the kitchen to the servants’ bedrooms without intruding on the private family quarters.

If the illustration on Colbeck’s map of 1736 is correct the double gable wing running north-south must at some time have been demolished and a new part adjoingin th eold back part, to give a double-gabled house at right angles to the earlier on. But this is purely surmise.

The 1885 o.s map shows one pump to the north of the house and another in the farmyard.

It is not clear from the Hearth Tax as to who was resident at the time. Despite the tax, the number of hearths increased quite a lot between 1664 and 1674, unless a different mode of assessment was used. Only two people has as many as four hearths 1664, one being Roger Nettleship, the other Widow Hutton. Whereas in 1674 John Gamble and Thomas Nodle each have eight hearths, Roger Nettleship has five, but Mr Nettleship has six. Also with five hearths are Thomas Hall, John Burton and George Beriman. This biggish house muash have had a number of hearths and would most likely be one of those with eight hearths in 1674.

BLACKSMITHS AT NORTHERN END OF HIGH STREET

CROFT HOUSE, FORMERLY THE HALL, BAR ROAD

Census Returns

1831 Census
Perhaps Charles Johnson 1 male, 3 female
(A Charles Johnson was an Agricultural labourer living in Royston Cottage in 1841, 1851, and 1861.  In the deeds relating to the nearby now demolished cottage Charles Johnson, Yeoman is given as tenant in possession of that property. 1833 but Elizabeth Johnson, perhaps a relative was tenant in 1831).

1841 Census, High Street

William Cross 50 Registrar
Elizabeth Cross 45
Mary Cross 14
Eliza Cross 10
Secilia Duckle 15 Pupil
Mary Duckle 8 Pupil
Mary Carter 12 Pupil
Mary Cox 15 F.S.
(see advert of June 1838 in Stamford Mercury)

1851 Census, Schedule 10
Born
Henry Chapman Head Married 67 Farmer Welson, Northamptonshire
Elizabeth Chapman Wife Married 68 Bernowden, Rutland
Mary Hall Servant Unmarried 14 General Servant Beckingham

1861 Census, High Street, Schedule 7

Jane Brocklesby Head Wife 48 Farmer of 36 acres Laceby, Lincolnshire
Mary Brocklesby Daughter Unmarried 22 Farmer’s daughter Killingholme
Joseph Brocklesby Son Unmarried 21 Farmer’s son Killingholme
Eliza Brocklesby Daughter Unmarried 16 Farmer’s daughter Killingholme
Elizabeth Brocklesby Daughter Unmarried 14 Scholar Killingholme
Frank B. Brocklesby Son 12 Scholar Killingholme
Alice Hannah Snowden Servant 15 Domestic Servant New Wiseton

1871 Census, Beckingham Hall, Top Street, Schedule 15

Alice Hopkin House keeper Wife 51 House keeper Gainsborough
William Tomlinson Servant Unmarried 19 Farm servant – Indoor
Joseph Collingwood Servant Unmarried 18 Farm servant – Indoor Misterton
Eliza Sargent Servant Unmarried 17 General Servant Domestic Springthorpe.

(In 1891 Alice Hopkin was a visitor at George Wells, at Station Road Corner)

1881 Census High Street, Schedule 90

John Anyan Head Widower 69 Farmer of 136 acres Laceby
John C Anyan Son Unmarried 28 Farmer’s son Somerby
Ann Motley Servant Unmarried 40 House keeper South Leverton
Ann Adams Servant Unmarried 15 General servant Retford
Charles Bennett Servant Unmarried 19 Farm servant – Indoor Misterton
Henry Bradford Servant Unmarried 14 Farm Servant – Indoor Corringham

1891 Census, High Street, no schedule number fits this property.   There was an uninhabited house between schedule number 101 and 102 which was probably this farmhouse.

(George Bee gave the occupant in circa 1895 as Mr W Anyan)

1901 Schedule 112, Croft House

Charles W Gourley Head Married 31 Farmer Employer Bole
Mildred M Gourley Wife Married 32 Bole
Emma Rusling Servant Single 18 General Servant Domestic Worker Worlaby
John E Hodson Servant Single 21 Waggoner on Farm Worker Washingborough

Dunhelm House, Or Mosley Yard Lane Cottage

LISTING DESCRIPTION

SK78NE Beckingham Bar Road (north east side)

8/3 Croft House Farmhouse

Farmhouse, circa 1660 and circa 1775.  Brick rendered, steep pitched C20 pantile roof. Cogged eaves, 2 gable stacks, coped gable with kneelers, 2 storey plus garrets, 3 windows; double range plan. West front has off-centre plain doorcase with hood and C19 half-glazed door with geometrical overlight.  To right, single C20 glazing bar sash; above 2 yorkshire sashes, all with segmental  heads. South front has to left single glazing bar sash, to North front has central close-boarded door and to left single canopied-brick porch and half-glazed garage door.  Above, central C20 glazing bar sash, flanked by single C20 casements.

CROFT HOUSE CELLAR

Mr Charles Needham who lived in Beckingham during World War 2 said that the cellar at Croft House was used by The Civil Defence Organisation during those years.  The cellar was dry enough for it to contain amongst other things, a couple of camp beds.  The approach was not through the house, but by way of a gate in the iron railings at the front of the house, then down steps to a door near the south east corner of the house.

TRANSACTION OF THE THORTON SOCIETY
Vol. XC, 1986 p.86-87

Secclar Cartularies

Lascelles (Lassells) Family of Sturton le Steeple

See Nottinghamshire R.o DD930
Middle 12th century late 16th century

Brian Lassells was borne at Storton on Lamas evene 1526

Lands mentioned – Storton, Gateford, Fenton, and Isle of Axholme
Lands in Littleborough and Sturton
Lands in Gateford and Shireoaks
Lands in Escrick, Yorkshire

(It is not likely that Brian Lassells born at Sturton in 1526 is the same as the Bryan Lassells buried at Beckingham in 1630)

HISTORY OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE  –  David Kaye

p.63
“In 1616 Sir John Holles paid £10,000 for the barony of Hawton, and gave a further £5,000 eight years later for the vacant earldom of Clare”.
The earls of Clare later became Dukes of Newcastle who had one of the Lordships of Beckingham.
This does not relate in any way to the history of Croft House.

Dunelm House, Lane Leading to Mosley Yard

CROFT HOUSE FARM

Messrs Spinley and Meggitt worked for Mr Ranby. Jack Clifton from Gringley told me that he worked there and lived in. He did not always agree with Mr Ranby and recalled being chased round the crewyard by the farmer wielding a hay fork. He also remembers a Saundby farmer, perhaps Mr Bartholomew, who would call in for a drink on his way home from market, stay very late, and then expect Jack Clifton to get his pony and trap ready for his journey to Saundby. What rankled was that Jack never got a tip for his services.

It is said that Mr. Ranby quite often the worse for drink and once had to be rescued from a pond into which he had walked. This spring fed pond was in the paddock on the south side of the house and there is or was a similar one in Percy Proudley’s paddock nearby. The Croft House paddocks, north and south are now housing estates. The pond in the south paddock was filled in many years ago, probably with household rubbish.

CROFT HOUSE

Several people have told me of the supposed tunnels from the cellar to the church and the river. These storied can be discounted, but there could be more substance in the legend of the cellar being used to hold prisoners. There is the possibility that this could have happened if men were being transported to Lincoln Castle Court and jail. I have seen no mention of this in documents.

CROFT HOUSE

Amongst the Croft House deeds is an Indenture of 22 April 1830 leasing properties in Beckingham to George Hodgkinson Barrow of Southwell. One being Southfield Close heretofore in the tenancy of John Mawer late Robert Storr and then in the tenancy of Elizabeth Whaley, spinster.
Map no. 53, 5a Or. 29p

Croft House when owned by Miss Angela Sykes in 1975.
Note the change from slates to tiles on the roof.

Croft House Farm buildings 1993
Now owned by Mr Tim Pickering separately from the house.
Viewed from the east.

Dev. March 1993 Neg.8

Croft House Farm Barn, 1993 from south east
It has the high doorway of a threshing barn but no ventilator holes. Originally a slate roof.

CROFT HOUSE FARMSTEAD

When owned by the Meynell family this was the mansion house of the Beckingham Estate, but in circa 1822 it had been purchased by Mrs Wailey along with 5 acres of land in which it stood, and South Field Close of 5a.OR.29p. The house was probably then known as The Hall. The 1777 map shows some buildings but these were probably stables and coach house. Sold to Robert Duckle Esquire in 1836.

Some later owner must have purchased land and built the extensive range of farm buildings. These buildings form a rectangle around a yard with access from the south east corner which is rather strange as the land associated with the farm stead was on the west side beyond the house. The buildings appear in the main to be one storey animal sheds. They are of brick with French and Belgian slate roofs with blue brick ridge tiles. The barn is of similar construction but is now partly roofed with asbestos. It was probably constructed when threshing barns were becoming obsolete. There are no ventilator holes in the walls, but the doors were originally of the traditional type on the east side. There is an opposing door on the west side but this a single door probably meant as access to the yard when feeding animals. Both ends of the barn have wooden lofts and the barn forms an L shaped building with another part of similar size on the north side the yard which has a granary over open fronted sheds facing into the yard/ The floor of the barn appears to have been raised so the original type of flooring used is not known. The stone blocks on which the big doors pivoted are partly buried and it is not possible to tell if there were slots for a threshold board.
It was probably built as a feed bar, but kept the traditional threshin barn style.

The buildings were photographed and measured by the Retford H & A Society in February 1994.

Expect for the west-side range, all the farm buildings have been bought by Mr Tim Pickering and adapted to make a museum for his collection of horsedrawn and farm vehicles, and the roadside ground has provided a site for his new round house – The Rotunda. The access is from what was Station Road, now perhaps to be altered to Low Street.

Can we assume that the Meynell’s were pro-parliament in the Civil War.

Developed August 1994 Neg. 23
Percy Proudley’s cottage on the lane adjoining the Croft estate. Owned by the Tong family. There were welsh slates on the roof before demolition started.

MOSLEY YARD COTTAGE

SOUTH FIELDS PERCY PROUDLEY’S COTTAGE, BAR ROAD

1736 this was Rails Close, no.76, 2 acres 0 roods 37 perches, owned by Meynells

1777 Rails Close, no. 57 on the map, 2 acres 2 roods, 13 perches, belonging to Meynell’s Heirs.

1779 The owner was later George Moody, not necessarily as early as 1779.
See George Moody at Orchard House.

No homestead is shown on the 1736 or 1777 map.  There are buildings shown on the other side of the Lane in The Hall (Croft House) Close.

1890s George Bee gives George Hall, cowkeeper, as occupier.

1908 George Hill, cowkeeper. See Kelly’s.

1912 & 1920 J Anyan, butcher. See Kelly’s 1912 and Percy Proudley.
(was this the J Anyan previously at Croft House? He would be too old)

1930s Joe Byron

1932 Joseph Ambrose Byron, farmer. See Kelly’s.

1939 Percy Proudley, from then onwards and still there in 1993.
Moved to Walkeringham in 1994; back to Hawthorne Close, Beckingham 1995.
Michael Proudley says it belonged to Tongs. They sold in 1995.

March 1994 It is said that Percy Proudley is now under notice to quit by his landlord, and the cottage condemned.

August 1994 Cottage demolished.  Percy Proudley had been moved to a council flat in Walkeringham.  Cottage was roofed in Welsh slates, as was the adjacent two storied building.  A small shed at the east end was pantile roofed/
Percy later got a council bungalow in Hawthorne Close.
He died March 1996.

1996/97 This property now owned by Zaccharia Glass says G. Proudley.

1997 A new house is being built.

A rectangular stone approximately 12” x 9”, now built into a stone wall at the Mill House was, say Ray Simpson, collected from outside the Recreation Room, once the Primitive Methodist Chapel. On the stone is G. Hill October 29 1892. Perhaps George senior bought bricks for a wall and George his son, a bricklayer, built it.

CENSUS RETURNS

1831 John Cook 3 males 6 females (Farmer in 1832 Directory0

1841 John Cook 45 Shoemaker, wife and family and George Beckett 15 George Watson 20 Minister
(see George Beckett at Green cottage and Ravensbeck in later years)

1851 Schedule 9 Beckingham

George Hill Head Married 26 Agricultural Labourer Beckingham
Mary Hill Wife Married 28 Messingham
Elizabeth Hill Daughter 2 Beckingham
George Beckett Lodger Unmarried 25 Shoemaker Saundby
(Master)

(George Beckett – see later at Ravensbeck)

1861 Schedule 8 High Street

George Hill Head Married 37 Agricultural Labourer Beckingham
Mary Hill Wife Married 39 Messingham
Elizabeth Hill Daughter 12 Scholar Beckingham
Emma Hill Daughter 7 Scholar Beckingham
Thomas Hill Son 1 Beckingham

1871 Schedule 14 Top Street

George Hill Head Married 47 Farmer occupying Beckingham
7 acres of land
Mary Hill Wife Married 49 Messingham
Thomas Hill Son 11 Scholar Beckingham
George Hill Son 9 Scholar Beckingham
Emma Hill Daughter Unmarried 17 Farmer’s daughter Beckingham

1881 Scheduel 91 High Street

George Hill Head Married 57 Agricultural labourer Beckingham
Mary Hill Wife Married 59 Messingham
Emma Hill Daughter Unmarried 27 Domestic servant Beckingham
Out of employ
Thomas Hill Son Unmarried 21 Bricklayer Beckingham
George Hill Son Unmarried 19 Bricklayer Beckingham

1891 Schedule 105 High Street

George Hill Head Married 67 Cottager Agricultural Beckingham
Mary Hill Wife Married 69 Messingham
George Hill son Single 29 Bricklayer Beckingham
Emma Hill Daughter Single 37 Beckingham

LANE END COTTAGE ON MOSLEY YARD LANE

WESLEYAN METHODIST

In 1788 there was in Beckingham a Society of Methodists, ten in number as shown below. Information from Dr B Biggs

Joseph Cliff, wheelwright and Ann Cliff
Joseph Cook, shoemaker and Ann Cook
Ann Parkin, old
William Cobb, joiner
James Hoggard, farmer
Rebecca Cliff, young
James Drewery, labourer
Elizabeth Drewery

John Wesley visited Beckingham in 1788.

Joseph Cook above was probably father of John Cook who applied for the licence to make the Chapel (later the chapel schoolroom) a place of religious worship for Protestants in 1842. Both Joseph and John were shoemakers.

SOUTH FIELDS, BECKINGHAM

Amongst the Duckle-Croft House documents at Nottingham Archives, is an Indenture of 22 April 1830, which amongst other things has a mention of the letting of two closes, Acre Close, 1a.2r.19p, and for Fur Bush Close, 2a.3r.37p., by the Chapter of Southwell to John Cook, cordwainer and heretofore in the tenancy of John Mawer, late Robert Storr. On the 1777 map these were numbered 198 and 202 and on the 22 April 1824 were leased to Sarah and Edward Peart and William Rhodes of Butterwick with other land. Did their lease expire or terminate for some reason thus allowing new leases to be made? Furr on line 4 was probably the local pronunciation of Furrow. The leaseholder of the above closes was George Hodgkinson Barrow of Southwell; John Cook was tenant.

At some time this property was acquired by the Tong family; it was not sold with the rest of their estate in 1962, but was sold in 1995 after Percy Proudley the tenant had left and the house had been demolished. The plot (see sale notice) was bought by Mr Zaccaria, who has built a new house circa 1998.

22nd January 1999
Zaccarias’ house built 1998 on the site of the cottage last tenanted by Percy Proudley and the last of Tongs’ Beckingham estate.

Cottage on Bar Road South in 1993. Note the patterned brickwork.

COTTAGE ON BAR ROAD SOUTH, A SMALLHOLDING.

1736 map. This area was at that date Nether Long Lands, no. 85 and part of the New Mill Field, also call Long Man’s Hedge Lane.

1777 map. This was part of Meynells new enclosure of 23 acres 0 roods 35 perches and just to the south of Meynells Mill Hill Close, and old enclosure number 117. As the new enclosure was not numbered it is not possible to find the area of the homested on old maps.

1779 This was most likely bought by Robert Cross and others and resold to Robert Duckle.

In or after 1779 a John Cobb bought Longlands Close, 3 acres 0 roods 35 perches of new enclosure, which probably forms this holding.

John Cobb, joiner and farmer, (see census returns) may have beeen the brother of William Cobb, joiner and builder of Moat House.

13 September 1839 Stamford Mercury reported the death by drowning at Beckingham of Joseph Cobb, parish clerk. He and his family had been afflicted with typhus fever. Verdict – drowned in a fit of insanity.

George Bee said John Marshall lived here circa 1895. He was son in law of Sarah Parkin who was here in 1891.
Percy Proudley said John Marshall was here and “Tally Ho” in the 1903’s.

1993 occupants are called Taylor. There seems always to have been a small acreage of land attached.

Brickwork – The front of the house is Flemish Bond with light coloured headers to emphasise the pattern.
Roof – pantiles.

COTTAGE ON BAR ROAD

Census Returns

1831
John Cobb, 1 male, 1 female. Joiner on 1832 Directory.

1841
Sarah Cobb 50?

1851 Schedule 8 Beckingham

John Cobb Head Married 57 Joiner – master Beckingham
Sarah Cobb Wife Married 52 Beckingham

1861 Schedule 9 High Street

John Cobb Head Married 67 Joiner & Farmer 4 acres Beckingham
Sarah Cobb Wife Married 62 Beckingham
William Schofield Father in law Married 73 Agricultural Labourer Thrumpton
Maria Scholfield Mother in law Married 80 Beckingham

1871 Schedule 13 Top Street

John Cobb Head Married 77 Farmer (3 acres) Beckingham
Sarah Cobb Wife Married 72 Beckingham

1881 Schedule 92 High Street

John Cobb Head Married 87 Retired Farmer Beckingham
Sarah Cobb Wife Married 82 Beckingham

1891 Schedule 102 High Street

Sarah Parkin Head Widow 68 Dairy Farmer Tickhill, Yorkshire
John Marshall Son in law Married 30 Agricultural labourer Greetwell, Lincolnshire
Mary Marshall Daughter Married 30 Dressmaker Beckingham

(Sarah Parkin was at Toll House in 1881)

SUNNY BANK, BAR ROAD

1736 Upper furlong. No 83, 4 acres 1 rood 20 perches, owned by Roger Burton.

1777 South Field. This was close no. 50 of 4 acres 2 roods 18 perches belonging to Robert Duckle.

1779 and later is still belonged to Robert Duckle.

It is not recorded on the 1831 census or the 1841 so it was probably built after 1841. When built it was sited in the south west corner of close no. 50.

1866 Tithe Book – occupier George Gabbitas, owner Samuel Duckle Esquire.

Circa 1895 George Bee says J Casson, cowkeeper lived here.

Prior to 1993 Mr Jones ran a land drainage business from here. When drainage grants ended he opened a garden centre on the premises but by 1993 he was out of business and sold the property to Ernest Levick previously of Moat House and before that of the High Street farmstead which backed onto the Hare and Hounds public house. Since then the garden centre had greatly expanded with new buildings erected (1996). It was probably Jones who enlarged the house.

SUNNY BANK, BAR ROAD

Census Returns
1831

1841 Probably built after this date.

1851 Schedule 7 Beckingham (next to Toll Bar)

John Cottingham Head Married 68? Bricklayer Master Hooton Pagnall
Sarah Cottingham Wife Married 53 Beckingham
George Otter Nephew 13 Beckingham

1861 Between schedules 9 and 10. Beckingham
Unoccupied.

1971 Schedule 12 Top Street

George Gabbitas Head Married 60 Farmer & Cattle Dealer, 12 acres Scaftworth, Mary Gabbitas Wife Married 60 Bawtry,
Ellen Pask Servant 16 General Servant, Domestic Glentworth,

1881 Schedule 93 South Field

George Carter Head Married 51 Farmer of 26 acres Scotter, Jane Carter Wife Married 50 Misterton,

1891 Schedule 103 High Street

John H Casson Head Married 50 Agricultural Labourer Bole
Eliza Casson Wife Married 46 Morton
John Casson Son Single 21 Engine fitter Gringley
Ann E Casson Daughter Single 15 Beckingham
George H Casson Son 9 Scholar Beckingham
Charles F Parkin Lodger Married 44 Railway Signalman Pampisford, Cambridge
Elizabeth Parkin Lodger Married 27 Bole.

1901 Schedule 15, Gainsborough Road

John H Casson Head Married 62 Farmer Owner occupier Bole
Eliza Casson Wife Married 56 Morton
George H Casson Son Single 19 Butcher’s apprentice Worker Beckingham
Nellie Parkinson Servant Single 16 Domestic servant Worker Holbeach

Forrington’s Garage at Ramper Top, Beckingham circa 1935?
Mr Norman Forrington’s house stands near the site of the old Toll House opposite the garage. The Ramper Road from here to the Railway is now a cul-de-sac.

BLACKSMITHS AT NORTHERN END OF HIGH STREET

TOLL BAR COTTAGE, RAMPER TOP

Census Returns
1831
Joseph Beaumont, 1 male
(White’s 1832 listed Joseph Beaumont, Toll Bar, shoemaker)

1841
Nobody fits here for this census.

1851 Schedule 6 Toll Bar

John Bitney Head Un? Sub Surveryor & Toll Collector ?
Hannah Bitney Wife Married 37 Brumpton
James Bitney son 11 Scholar Baslow
Christopher Bitney son 9 Scholar Baslow
Clara Bitney daughter 12 Scholar Baslow
Mary Bitney daughter 3 Scholar Baslow

1861 Schedule 10 Toll Bar House

Thomas S Martin Head Married 40 Toll Bar Keeper Causby
Harriet Martin Wife Married 43 Toll Bar Keeper’s wife Louth
Samuel Martin Son Unmarried 13 Plough boy on farm Manby
Mary Ann Martin Daughter 11 Scholar Scauby
Charles Martin Son 8 Scholar Beckingham
Harriet Martin Daughter 10months Beckingham

1871 Schedule 11 Toll Bar House

John Parkin Head Married 47 Toll Collector Beckingham
Sara Parkin Wife Married 46 Collector’s wife & assistant Tickhill
Mary Parkin Daughter 10 Scholar Beckingham

1881 Schedule 94 Toll Bar House

John Parkin Head Married 57 Toll Collector Beckingham
Sarah Parkin Wife Married 59 Tickhill
Mary Parkin Daughter Unmarried 20 Dressmaker Beckingham

1891 (Toll House and keeper not listed. Trust expired 1st November 1884. Sarah Parkin, widow, had moved to a nearby smallholding)

HISTORY OF GAINSBOROUGH, Adam Stark

Page 205 and 205 mention is made here of the disadvantage to Gainsborough of having a Toll bridge and a Toll bar so near as Beckingham Bar.

Gainsborough News 14th February 1947 “Sunroyd” offered for sale for £1,850, Ramper Road, Saundby.

THE CROWN INN, RAMPER ROAD

1736 The site was then William Burton’s Low Furlong no. 5 on the map.

1777 This had become Robert Duckle’s South Field Close, no. 48

The Crown was built in the south west corner of this close.

It appears that there were once two Crown Inns in this parish, the other being on the Trent Bank, and earlier called The Sun. It is difficult to decide who were the landlords in certain Directory years. George Wagstaff appears to have moved from one to the other. The accompanying sheet records the names of the landlords in the census years and those shown in Directories in other years and the inns at which they are most likely “mine host”.

1866 Tithe Book lists the occupier as John Cocking, owner Samuel Duckle. George Bee circa 1895 gives the landlord as Tom Cocking. At this time it was a small pub and the landlord also worked as a joiner at Marshall’s Works. His father was John Cocking.

In the 1930’s it was owned by Hewitt’s Brewery. They demolished the old house and erected a large building that could take advantage of the summer holiday traffic running from Sheffield etc. to the coast.

When the Beckingham bypass was extended and the railway bridged in 1973 this part of the Ramper Road was cut off and the public house was left in a cul-de-sac all holiday trade was lost. Other trade gradually declined and the licence given up in 1993.

Percy Proudley said that one of the clocks in 10 Downing Street was made by Clocky Clay who lived near The Crown.
CROWN INN, RAMPER ROAD

Census Returns.

1831 No mention of a dwelling, but the 1833 Electoral Roll gives George Barker, house and land, South Field.

1841 High Street, Beckingham
(The High Street seems to extend to the Ramper Road for this census)

George Barker 60 Publican
AnnBarker60
Elizabeth Barker 20
Martha Barker 20
John Barker 11

1851 Schedule 5 Beckingham (Next to Toll Bar, Schedule 6)

George Wagstaff Head Married 44 Innkeeper Beckingham
Mary Wagstaff Wife Married 37 Bawtry
John Wagstaff Son 10 Scholar Beckingham
John Torr Visitor 12 Scholar Gainsborough

1861 Schedule 11 Public House, Crown Inn
(Betwixt Toll Bar 10 and Trent Prot Wharf 12) (George Wagstaff had moved to Trentside Crown)

John Cocking Head Married 44 Publican farming 35 acres Beckingham
Martha Cocking Wide Married 42 North Scarle
Ann Cocking Daughter Unmarried 15 Assistant Gainsborough
Robert Cocking Son Unmarried 12 Plough boy on farm Gainsborugh
George Cocking Son 10 Plough boy on farm Gainsborough
Henry Cocking Son 8 Scholar Gainsborough
James Cocking Son 6 Scholar Gainsborough
Thomas Cocking Son 4 Scholar Gainsborough
Emma Cocking Daughter 2 Beckingham

1871 Schedule 10 Crown Inn (Between Trent Port House no 9 and Toll Bar House no 11)

John Cocking Head Married 54 Publican & Farmer occupying 33? Acres of land Walkeringham
Martha Cocking Wife Married 51 North Scarle
James Cocking Son 15 Gainsborough
Thomas Cocking Son 13 Scholar Gainsborough
Emma Cocking Daughter 11 Scholar Beckingham

1881 Schedule 95 Crown Inn (Next to Toll Bar House No.94)

John Cocking Head Married 64 Licensed Victualler & Farmer of 36 acres North Wheatley
Martha Cocking Wife Married 62 North Scarle
Elizabeth Wagstaff Servant Unmarried 16 General servant Fillingham, Essex

1891 Schedule 104 Crown Inn, Gainsborough

John Cocking Head Widower 74 Licensed Victualler Gringley
Thomas Cocking Son Married 33 Joiner Gainsborough
Phoebe Cocking Daughter in law Married 29 Easby
Ralph Cocking Grandson 6 Scholar Gainsborough
Frank E Cocking Grandson 4 Scholar Gainsborough
Annie Smithson Servant Single 15 General servant, domestic Woodsetts
N Troop Married 29 Agricultural labourer Beckingham

1901 Schedule 14, Crown Inn

Henry Leaning Head Married 61 Innkeeper & Farmer owner occupier Bole
Caroline Leaning Wife Married 58 Crosby
Charles Leaning Son Single 30 Engine smith’s striker Worker Thealby
Ada Leonard Servant Single 21 Domestic servant Worker Lincoln

LICENSEES OF THE TWO CROWN INNS

1841 George Barker, publican, High Street, Ramper
Census John Gray, shoemaker, low street –
George Wagstaff, 30, jobber, Low Street –
1844 George Barker, victualler, Crown Ramper
John Gray, beer house and shoemaker

1849 John Gray, farmer, Sun Inn Trentside
George Wagstaff, Crown InnRamper
George Barker?

Schedule 2
1851 John Gray, 32, farmer 22 acres & innkeeper Trentside

Schedule 5 Census
George Wagstaff, 44, InnkeeperRamper
George Barker,?

1853 George Barker, victualler, Crown ?

Whites
1853  George Wagstaff, victualler, Crown Inn ?
And cattle dealer

Schedule 11
1861   John Cocking, publican and farmer 35 acres Crown Inn Ramper

Schedule 14 Census
1861    George Wagstaff, 53, publican and farmer 20 acres Trentside

1864 John Cocking, victualler Crown Ramper
1864    George Wagstaff, victualler and cattle dealer, Crown Inn Trentside

Schedule 10
1871 John Cocking, victualler and farmer Ramper

Schedule 7 Census
1871 John Clay, farmer, 22 acres Trentside
George Wagstaff, not on census-

1879 John Cocking, victualler Crown Ramper

Schedule 95
1881 Census John Cocking, victualler and farmer Ramper

Schedule 102
John Clay, farmer 22 acresTrentside

Schedule 101
George Wagstaff, 44, shepherd, Marsh Marsh Farm?

Schedule 104
1891 Census John Cocking, victualler, Crown Inn
Gainsborough Road Ramper

Schedule 7
John Clay, farmer Trentside

1908 Charles Leaning, Crown Public House Ramper

Inquest reports are in Dresser Drawer 5
This crossing was closed after being by-passed after the construction of a new railway bridge in 1973/4. The bridge is to the north of the old crossing, and was opened in 1974.

THE RAMPER ROAD

Mr Fletcher has told me that during the 1914-18 war the army had an aerodrome (used by the RFC), built on land in Saundby parish near the Ramper Road and south of the Eight Arches Bridge. The land was requisitioned from a Gainsborough butcher. The buildings were demolished after the war. Someone bought the hangar and re-erected it at the Southolme, Gainsborough and it has been used since then mainly as a car repair shop. The roof trusses are of timber construction with a very wide span. This type of truss was known as the “Belfast” roof. There is a story that one pilot when airborne would suffer engine trouble and have to land at Gringley where he would be entertained by the three daughters of the farmer on whose field he had landed, whilst mechanics came to repair the fault. This sounds very similar story of the plane that landed at Beckingham Wood Farm around 1930 when the pilot was made welcome by the grocer’s wife, Mrs Lovvie Taylor, who had three daughters in need of husbands.