Peter Mason File 19a

Bar Road

IMAGE19A/1 Stamford Mercury 22/04/1742 P4 col 3

Winkbourn Hall is advertised to be let on the same page of the Stamford Mercury

IMAGE19A/2 Cottage on Church Corner, 09/1984. Mr Williamson the occupier is on the lower picture. Note the blocked earlier window openings and the altered roof-line.

COTTAGE AT CHURCH CORNER

1736 This homestead, No 126 on the map, was 1 rood 34 perches in extent and belonged to Roger Burton.

1777 The homestead was 137 on this enclosure map, I rood 38 perches and then belonged to Robert Duckle. The cottage is not shown on that map.

George Bee confirms that Henry Fielding was the occupier in the 1890’s.

Percy Proudley said John Hill lived here and Mrs Hill his mother, or perhaps his wife was very fond of laundanum.

Mr Williamson says that it was occupied by the parents of Mrs Stenson, followed by Mr Cooper. Butcher Hill bought it in the 1930’s, painted it and let it to Mr Williamson since when it has never been repainted until repaired and extended by the new owner, Mr Foreman of Ranby in 1994/1995. The cottage had been inherited by Mrs W Smithson from Butcher Hill and it was she who sold to Mr Foreman in 1994. Mr Williamson left in 1993.

This was a typical Beckingham cottage until altered some time in the past, when the first floor and roof were raised. The bricked up old window apertures can still be seen, but the window openings are still the same size as the old ones. It is said that the roof was once thatched but was replaced by slates when the higher roof was constructed. There were brick and pantile outbuildings but these were demolished in 1995. The OS map of 1885 shows a pump in front of the house.

Brickwork – narrow hand-made bricks in English garden bond.

The roof is now Welsh slate overhanging the gable ends.

Double chimney stacks at each end.

The windows are Yorkshire slide, all facing south.

Mr Williamson says that the walls were porous, and in parts could be seen through – due no doubt to lack of damp proof course. Shortly before he left, he was about 86 at the time, water from heavy rain seeped into the electricity system. This affected the water supply and the wash-house was flooded. When he tried to turn off the water he received a shock and could not relinquish his hold on the tap. He managed to get a towel with his free hand and worked it in between the tap and his fast hand until his hand was free.
CHURCH CORNER COTTAGE

Was this dwelling empty and semi derelict in years 1871, 1881, and 1891 before having a new and higher roof built on? And 1901

CHURCH CORNER COTTAGE

Census Returns

1831
John Hopkin 1 family 3 male 2 female

1841
John Hopkin 50 Agricultural labourer
Ann Hopkin 50
Charlotte Hopkin 15
Robert Hopkin 12

1851 Schedule 66
John Hopkin Head Mar 62 Farmer of 18 acres born Bole
Ann Hopkin Wife Mar 62 Clayworth
Robert Hopkin Son Unm 22 Wheelwright (Journeyman) Beckingham

1861 Schedule 53
John Hopkin Head Mar 72 Almsman, formerly a Farmer Bole
Ann Hopkin Wife Mar 73 Clayworth

1871
?

1881
?

1891

Carolyn Reinbold re John Hopkin junior
Discovered a John Hopkins, age 27, Shoemaker, who emigrated the ship “North Atlantic” with wife, Jane and 2 children – age 2 and William Hopkins age 11 months.

Have been unable to find out when and how my John and Jane this country. I have NO information on the 2 children, in Illinois so don’t know what could have happened to fit into that Family perfectly. (See FGS on back of Xmas

If there is any record at all of them being born/christened Beckingham.

Is one mystery after another to solve in this genealogy.

Of the two of you often and wonder if I’ll ever see you again. Getting older” I might not get that way again. Know that I all you friends and will never forget all you have done for
Ted on 16th birthday for 5 years 25 May 1839
Mam 21st birthday 25 May 1844
6 April 1867
Early 1848? Second sometime 1849?
For US 1850

IMAGE19A/3

IMAGE19A/4 Neg 13A Mr Williamson’s cottage on Church Corner, 08/1993.

IMAGE19A/5 Neg 11 Church Corner Cottage, Beckingham. Pictured after repairs and the building of an extension. 06/1995.

IMAGE19A/6 Dev 01/1983 Neg 9 Corner Cottage, Church Street in 1982 before renovation.

IMAGE19A/7 Dev 29/06/1993 Neg 24 Sunny Mead, Church Street, after alterations by Michael Rennison.

IMAGE19A/8 “Sunnymead” Church Corner. Viewed form the church tower. Circa 1978.

IMAGE19A/9 Dev01/1983 Neg 10 “Sunnymead”, Church Street, 1982

IMAGE 19A/10 Cottage on Church Street in 1978 before alterations. Note the old shutters.

IMAGE19A/11 Dev 29/06/1993 Neg 25 North side of Sunny Mead, Church Street after alterations.

SUNNYMEAD, CHURCH STREET

In 1736 this homestead was no 125 on the map, 0a 1r 09p in extent and the owner was signified by the letter m.

In 1777 the homestead was no 138 on the enclosure map, 1r 08p, and belonged to James Gamson. In 1779(?) it was Robert Duckle’s. The map does not show a cottage here but the church documents describe the plot as a homestead.

A typical Beckingham cottage, brick and pantile, facing south and end to the road. The windows were Yorkshire slide and the back window once had an outside wooden shutter. The gable end parapets are of tumbled brickwork.

Stensons lived here, and their daughter Mrs Thornhill, being owners. Michael Rennison who married Jennifer Thornhill built a bungalow, Llandonna, in the garden to the west of the cottage some time before 1967. A hairdresser’s shop was added later and this was joined to the cottage by an extension some time in 1980’s. At the same time alterations were made to the cottage. There is now a flat over this garage extension.

In 1972 the cottage was occupied by Sydney Barlow and his wife.

The Thornhills had two daughters, June and Jennifer, after the death of her first husband she married Mr B Whitlam. Mrs Thornhill’s mother was Mrs Ethel Stenson. The Stensons are said to have once occupied the adjoining cottage at Church Corner.

The Stensons had ancestors called Matthews who at one time lived in a cottage, now part of the Hollies on High Street. The youngest Matthew’s son was killed near the end of World War 1 and the name died out.

Ethel Matthews married Stenson from Nottingham. Ethel was probably born at Mosley Yard Lane, but was at the Hollies, High Street in 1881, aged 2.

If the Bryons lived at Sunnymead, was the property suitable for Thomas’s trade of weaver? Following his death his widow is described in 1841 as a farmer, and again this cottage does not seem very suitable for that occupation. In 1851 the cottage is occupied by Thomas Byron junior, his wife and son. But Thomas Barlow, the tailor and his wife also seem to fit this cottage. Was it big enough to be used by two families?

If George Mason was tenant in 1866, Samuel Duckle was owner.
See the Tithe Book of 1866.

SUNNY MEAD, CHURCH STREET, BECKINGHAM

Census Returns. It is not possible to be absolutely certain of these occupants.
1831
? Perhaps Thomas BYRON, 2 males, 3 females
White’s Directory of 1832 lists him as a weaver.

1841
? Perhaps Mary BYRON 60 Farmer
Thomas BYRON 25
Jane BYRON 25
Elizabeth BAVIN (or BYRON?) 5

1851 Schedule 64 or Schedule 63 with Thomas, Jane and John Byron

Thomas BARLOW Head, M 28 Tailor & Draper Clarborough, Nottinghamshire
Hannah BARLOW Wife, M 33 Dressmaker South Leverton

1861 Schedule 52 Church Street
George MASON Head, M 68 Agricultural labourer Clayworth, Nottinghamshire
Sarah MASON Wife, M 66 Marton, Lincolnshire
George MASON Son, Un 31 Out pensioner of Chelsea Hospital Marton, Lincolnshire
Jane MASON Dau, Un 21 Marton, Lincolnshire
See this family at Beecher Lane in 1871
1871 Schedule 75 Grocer’s Shop, Church Street
John WALKER Head, M 34 Grocer & Agriculture Labourer Saundby, Nottinghamshire
Amy WALKER Wife, M 33 Grocer’s wife Fillingham, Lincolnshire
John WALKER Son 8 Scholar Beckingham, Nottinghamshire
Ann E WALKER Dau 5 Beckingham, Nottinghamshire
Mary WALKER Dau 3 Beckingham, Nottinghamshire
Emma WALKER Dau 1 Beckingham, Nottinghamshire

1881 Schedule 38 Church Street
John WALKER Head, Widower 76 Agriculture Labourer Misterton, Nottinghamshire
Elizabeth BROWN Dau M 37 Beckingham, Nottinghamshire
Hannah WALKER Dau in Law, married 32 Hanley, Yorkshire
Charlotte WALKER Grand Dau 7 Scholar Beckingham, Nottinghamshire
Charlotte WALKER Grand Dau 9 months Scholey Hill, Yorkshire

1891 Schedule 52 Church Street
William WOODIVISS Head, M 41 Blacksmith Statford, Essex
Sarah W WOODIVISS Wife 40 Poplar, London
Walter H WOODIVISS Son 11 Scholar Bromley, London
William S WATSON Boarder S 16 Shipbuilder’s Accountant Poplar, London
Victor E WATSON Boarder S 14 Clerk in Shipbuilder’s office Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

CENSUS RETURNS CONTINUED

1901 Schedule 60, Church Street
Thompson Matthews Head M 60 Labourer, Shipyard Worker Crosby, Lincolnshire
Elizabeth Matthews Wife M 59 Sutton, Nottinghamshire
Frederick R Matthews Son S 18 Apprentice Shipyard Worker Beckingham
Adelaide Matthews G Dau 11 Beckingham
Richard Matthews Father W 88 Somerby Brigg

THOMAS BYRON

Amongst deeds relating to a cottage immediately north of Croft House is a document dated 31/07/1789 which gives Thomas Byron as occupier of Gringley Little Gap Close, no 242, of 5a 1r 37p.

These deeds are held by Doug Adams, copies of parts in the Duckle/Croft House & box file.

BYRON’S COTTAGE, CHURCH STREET

If the Bryons lived at Sunnymead, the following two paragraphs should be disregarded.

This cottage seems to have been demolished and not rebuilt. It is difficult to decide on its location. The 1736 and 1777 maps show a house on the east side of 127 and 139 respectively. This house in 1736, looks to be the main house on the plot and would be approached from Church Street. On the 1777 map a building is shown where the present Orchard House now stands, so it is possible that the old house was let, and later demolished when the Byron’s moved to Low Street.

The 1736 map shows also a cottage in the South East corner of what is now a grass field on the north side of the western half of Church Street. This plot was no 124 belonging to Mrs Raworth. On the 1777 map no cottage is shown and the plot 124 has been amalgamated with no 123 to become no 14o, but the acreages and ownership are still given separately. As this cottage seems to have disappeared between 1736 and 1777 this is a less likely site of the Byron homestead.

THE BYRON FAMILY

Thomas Byron is recorded as being on Church Street in 1831, a weaver. In 1841 his widow and son were there and in 1851 his son Thomas was still there farming 13 acres.

In 1861 Thomas II had moved to Low Street, now “The Farmhouse”, where he lived with his wife Jane and his son John and his daughter in law, Sarah Ann in 1871. Thomas and Jane are on the 1887 census but John had left, and was living with his wife and family at Ivy House. John and his family were still there in 1891. John’s son Joseph A was born in either 1886 or 1888, and was most likely the horse dealer who lived in the cottage down the lane between Bar Road and what used to be South Field Lane. This cottage in 1994 is occupied, and has been for many years by Percy Proudley. This cottage was demolished in 08/1994.

The north east corner of Orchard House garden has, in 1994, been walled off from the rest of the garden to make a building plot. It is possible that the foundations of an old house may be found when building starts. This was in 1994/1995, but not work has started. New foundations were laid in 05/06/ 1996. The new house was built during 1996.

John Pykit of Haworth married Ann Byron at Beckingham on 17/05/1801.

A new house was built near this site in 1996 by Forman, and is inhabited in 1997.

Census Returns

1831 Church Street
Thomas BYRON 2 males, 3 females
1832 White’s Directory refers to him as a weaver.
1833/1834 Electoral Roll gives him as having house and land.

1841 Church Street
Mary BYRON 60 Farmer
Thos BYRON 25
Jane BYRON 25
Elizabeth BAVIN? 5

1851 Schedule 63 Beckingham
Thomas BYRON Head M 36 Farmer, 13 acres of land Beckingham
Jane BYRON Wife 37 Leverton
John BYRON Son 3 Beckingham

1861 Schedule 43 Thomas Byron is living in Low Street. Probably at Harold Emmerson’s house. In 1891 his son John is living at Ivy House, Low Street, schedule no 25.

IMAGE19A/12 copied form slide 08/1993. The Cottage, Church Street, once called The Plough Inn.

IMAGE19A/13 Dev 12/1993 Neg 24a The Cottage. Church Street, after many alterations.

NEW INN now THE COTTAGE, CHURCH STREET also called THE PLOUGH INN

1736 Colbeck’s map gives this as a homestead of 1r 38p no 122 and belonging to Mrs Raworth. This, along, with other land, was advertised for sale in 1740. (see news cutting in The Spinney section of Low Street).

1777 map it was 1r 37p no 141, and owned by Meynells Heirs. It was called Bunby Homestead, probably after a tenant.

1779 or later the owner was John Dodshon.

1831 Census gives the occupant as Thomas Eyre, shown as a cheese dealer in White’s 1832 Directory.
1841 Thomas Eyre was still there and described as a publican of about 70 years. Whites of 1844 calls the property the New Inn.
1849 Post Office Directory lists Joseph Aukland of The Plough Inn.
1851 Census records Joseph Aukland, 40 as Innkeeper and Cattle Dealer but the name of the Inn is not mentioned.
1853 White’s Directory lists Edward Walker, victualler and shoemaker at the Plough Inn. There seems to be no reference to an inn or public house on this site after 1853.
From 1861 to 1891 the Hills are in occupation. They lived near Gervase Gamson at Schedule 38 in 1851.
The turnpike road from Gainsborough to Bawtry passed this corner.

Thomas Eyre married Elizabeth Dodshon 27/02/1790.

George Bee said that John Hill was a joiner at Marshalls.
Ernest Johnson said one of the Hills was known as Porky Hill.
1866 Tithe Book gives William Hill as occupier and Miss Stovin as owner.

1891 Census shows that William Hill’s widow is living at the other end of Church Street with her daughter, Hannah, and her son in law, Joseph Robinson, whose occupation has changed from agricultural labourer to farmer.

George and Mrs Bee lived here after George retired from being a postmaster.

The Electoral Registers of 1967 and 1972 show Michael and Gillian Hurton as occupiers. It was they who sold off the eastern end of the property on which the Gibsons, senior and junior each built a bungalow which they still occupy in 1996.

The cottage has had several probably owner-occupiers since the Hurtons. In 1992 the roof line was altered, the pantiles removed in favour of concrete tiles and one chimney stack removed. The roadside building, perhaps a stable with a room over, and a pigeon cote in the roof, was demolished some years ago, probably by the Hurtons.

Three window openings have been left at their original size which was meant for Yorkshire slide windows. These are the three bedroom windows of the main part of the house. Unfortunately the window frames instead of being painted white, are now dark stained. A conservatory has been added at the south east corner of the cottage.

1996/1997 Owner-occupiers are the Gardiners.

PLOUGH INN or THE COTTAGE, CHURCH STREET, BECKINGHAM

Census 1831
Thomas Eyre 2 males, 3 females (On 1832 Directory he is a cheese dealer).

Census 1841
Thomas Eyre 70 Publican (The New Inn, Whites 1844)
Elizabeth Eyre 50
Sarah Eyre 25
Betsey Eyre 5

(Joseph Aukland, Plough Inn, see Post Office Directory 1849)

51 1851 Beckingham
Joseph Aukland Head Mar 40 Inn Keeper and cattle dealer Bardney, Lincolnshire
Mary Aukland Wife M 37 Bardney, Lincolnshire
Rebecca Aukland Dau 12 Scholar Edlington, Lincolnshire
Betsey Aukland Dau 9 Scholar Edlington, Lincolnshire
Susannah Aukland Dau 7 Scholar Edlington, Lincolnshire
Emma Aukland Dau 4 Scholar Horncastle, Lincolnshire

(Edward Walker, victualler and shoemaker, Plough Inn, 1853 Whites)

51 1861 Church Street
William Hill Head M 35 Agricultural labourer Beckingham, Nottinghamshire
Jane Hill Wife M 35 Sturton, Nottinghamshire
Hannah T Hill Dau 14 Scholar Sturton, Nottinghamshire
John Francis Hill Son 9 Beckingham, Nottinghamshire

76 1871 Church Street
William Hill Head M Agricultural labourer Beckingham, Nottinghamshire
Jane Hill Wife M Sturton, Nottinghamshire
Hannah T Hill Dau Un 24 Dressmaker Sturton, Nottinghamshire
John Francis Hill Son Un 19 Joiner Beckingham, Nottinghamshire

39 1881 Church Street
William Hill Head M 55 Labourer Beckingham, Nottinghamshire
Jane Hill Wife M 55 Sturton, Nottinghamshire
Hannah Robinson Dau 33 Dressmaker Sturton, Nottinghamshire
Joseph Robinson Son in Law 31 Agricultural labourer Sheffield, Yorkshire

54 1891 Church Street
John F Hill Head M 39 Joiner Beckingham, Nottinghamshire
Annie C Hill Wife M 38 Nottingham
William H Hill Son 12 Scholar Halifax
Ernest Hill Son 8 Scholar Doncaster
Laura Hill Dau 4 Scholar Beckingham

Census Returns continued

1901 Schedule 61, Church Street
John F Hill Head M 49 Joiner Tea Machines Worker Beckingham
Annie C Hill Wife M 48 Nottingham
Ernest Hill Son S 18 Cabinet Makers Apprentice Worker Doncaster
Laura Hill Dau S 14 Board School Teacher Beckingham

THE COTTAGE, CHURCH STREET, BECKINGHAM

A detached cottage with garage and grounds, having a 275 foot frontage to Church Street was offered for sale in the Gainsborough News of 3 May 1968.

Fred Gosling (in 1998) recalls that “Porky Hill” lived here. There was a cowhouse on the site and he kept five cows which he grazed in a field down Shipyard Lane. It was he who installed the tank at the willow works.

IMAGE19A/14 Copied from Slide 08/1993. The Cottage, Church Street, once called The Plough Inn.

IMAGE19A/15 Dev 12/1993 Neg 24a. The Cottage, Church Street, after many alterations.

IMAGE19A/16 Newly built house in the North East corner of Orchard House garden in 1998 by a Mr Forman. It fronts onto Church Street. Pictured 09/1998.

IMAGE19A/17 The Cottage 20/12 sold c 12/08/2002

IMAGE19A/18 Church Street Cottage sold c.12/08/2002 Retford Times 12/2001

IMAGE19A/19 Mr George Bee. Extract form an article about Beckingham in the Doncaster Chronicle of 21/06/1956.

IMAGE19A/20 Copied 02/1994 Neg 6. Gringley Road Corner, circa 1960. Levick’s House on the left. Moat House far centre. Plough Inn Cottage and barn on right.

IMAGE19A/21 Dev 10/1993 Neg 21. Ernest Levick’s Moat House, Gringley Road, Beckingham, viewed from Beecher Lane.

MOAT HOUSE, GRINGLEY ROAD

1736 This 1 acre homestead belonged to Thomas Hall, it was plot no 177. Adjoining was a close no 178 of 2 acres 2 roods 35 perches.
1777 Both homestead and close had been inherited from Thomas Hall by Thomas Waterhouse. The enclosures were now numbered 151 and 150.
1779 No change of ownership. (From George Morton no 233, 1 acre 0 roods 11 perches). Some time after 1779 or at that date, a William Cobb bought Honey Hole Close. The “Fish Pond” or Moat was most likely a clay pit.

In the 1970’s Mr N Laurie found broken stone tiles of the Colley Weston type at the South East corner of the close.

1786 Record of Vestry (Meeting) in the Town’s Book.
Road lettings included the road form Cobb’s (Yard) to Gringley Field and West Road to Walkeringham and the Lane to the Mill were let to Mr Pear for 1.9s0p
1790 Road lettings included the Road from Cobb’s Yard to Walkeringham Field and Toll Bar. (This would most likely be the Gringley Road bar).

1788 A William Cobb, joiner was a Wesleyan Methodist in Beckingham.

When the Waterhouse/Massingberd estate was divided into four parts, this was in the quarter that went to Mary Jane Teale nee Massingberd. The Teale Cottage deeds show that it was let to William Cobb in 1842 and to Francis Newbold in 1886. The holding consisted of messuage, yard, garden and outbuildings no 151 and Fish Pond Close no 150 totalling 3 acres 3 roods 35 perches, also Raven Close no 176 of 1 acre 1 rood 23 perches. Later the holding was conveyed to George Lockwood in fee simple.

1866 Tithe Book. Gives the occupier as William Cobb and the owner as Mrs Rogers which contradicts the above.

1895 George Bee gave F Newbold, labourer, as householder here.

Percy Proudley says Newbolds were here and a Lockwood from Gainsborough. Mrs Fox was here before moving to Wood Lane c 1932.

William Cobb was probably brother of John Cobb, joiner and farmer at the Cottage on Bar Road.

The pond is said to have been used for soaking wood to prepare for bending etc.

Ernest Levick says “Lockwood lived here”.
Alwin Ingall says “Lockwood, farmer”.
Footitts. Amy Lockwood married Ray Footitt.

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.

MOAT HOUSE, GRINGLEY ROAD

Census Returns
1831 William Cobb, 3 males, 7 females

1841
William Cobb 50 Joiner
Martha Cobb 45
William Cobb 15
Jane Cobb 12
Harriot Cobb 10
John Cobb 8
John Morrison 20 Apprentice

1851 Schedule 55 Beckingham
William Cobb Head Mar 59 Joiner & Builder, master, 2 apprentices Beckingham
Martha Cobb Wife Mar 57 Retford
Harriet Cobb Dau Unm 20 Dressmaker Beckingham
John Cobb Son Unm 19 Joiner & Builder Beckingham

1861 Schedule 77 High Street
William Cobb Head M 69 Joiner & Builder Master Beckingham
Martha Cobb Wife M 68 East Retford
Harriet Cobb Dau Unm 29 Dressmaker Beckingham

1871 Schedule 67 Top Street
William Cobb Head M 79 Joiner & Builder Beckingham
Martha Cobb Wife M 77 Retford
Harriet Cobb Dau Unm 39 Dressmaker Beckingham

1881 Schedule 44 High Street
Charles Hill Head M 52 Cattle Dealer & Farmer of 15 acres Misterton
Elizabeth Hill Wife M 53 Misterton

1891 Schedule 59 High Street
Francis Newbold Head M 47 Agricultural labourer Beckingham
Mary Newbold Wife M 43 Eakring
George F Newbold Son S 19 Agricultural labourer Beckingham
Thomas A Newbold Son 13 Scholar Beckingham
William H Newbold Son 8 Scholar Beckingham

Census Returns Continued

1901 Schedule 65 High Street
Francis Newbold Head M 57 Agricultural labourer Worker Beckingham
Mary Newbold Wife M 53 Eakring
George Newbold Son S 29 Agricultural labourer Worker Beckingham
Thomas A Newbold Son S 23 Ship Plater Worker Beckingham
William H Newbold Son S 18 Beckingham
Sarah A Newbold Dau 7 Beckingham

IMAGE19A/22 Badgers Dell, Beecher Lane, Beckingham

IMAGE19A/23 Dev 12/1995 Neg 14a. Badgers Dell, Beecher Lane, Beckingham 10/1995.

BEECHER LANE COTTAGE, NOW BADGER’S DELL

1736 On Colbeck’s map the plot is letter K, no 117 1 rood.

1777 A Homestead (Newton) no 149 1 rood 6 perches owner Henry Tompson.

1779 or at some later time it was owned by Robert Duckle.

George Bee gives the occupier as R Matthews in the 1890’s. He was at Pear Tree Hill in 1881.
Percy Proudley gave the occupier as Ned Thompson.

BEECHER LANE COTTAGE, REBUILT AND CALLED BADGER’S DELL

1831 Census Beckingham
John Hempsell (3rd) (junior) 1 male, 3 females

1841 Census Beecher Lane
John Hempsell 40 Agricultural labourer
Ann Hempsell 40
John Hempsell 8
Ann Hempsell 6
Hannah Hempsell 4
Harriot Hempsell 2
Betsey Hempsell 5 months
Ann Hall 5 months

1851 Census Beckingham Schedule 56
John Keightley Head M 28 Agricultural labourer Beckingham
Ann Keightley Wife M 30 Gainsborough, Lincolnshire

1861 Census High Street Schedule 79
John Gray Head M 69 Cottager occupying 7 acres of land Sturton, Nottinghamshire

1871 Census Beecher Lane, Schedule 50
George Mason Head M 78 Agricultural labourer Clayworth, Nottinghamshire
Sarah Mason Wife M 74 Marton, Lincolnshire
George Mason Son Unm 33 Agricultural labourer Marton, Lincolnshire
The above family are listed as having been at Sunny Mead in 1861.

1881 Census Beecher Lane, Schedule 45
Sarah Mason Head W 85 Marton, Lincolnshire
George Mason Son Unm 50 Agricultural labourer Marton, Lincolnshire

1891 Census Beecher Lane, Schedule 60 4 rooms
Richard Matthews Head M 78 Agricultural labourer Somerby, Lincolnshire
Sarah Matthews Wife M 79 Appleby, Lincolnshire
Arthur J Milbourn Gson Unm 24 Police Constable Beckingham
See Richard and Sarah at Pear Tree Hill Farm in 1881

1901 Schedule 66 Beecher Lane 4 rooms
Edward Thompson Head M 58 Agricultural labourer Worker Beckingham
Sarah A Thompson Wife M 57 Kexby
George E Thompson Son S 24 Labourer Shipyard Worker Blyton
Frank Thompson Gson 11 Beckingham

IMAGE19A/24 In Memory of Frank Thompson 04/10/1917

IMAGE19AQ/25 In Memory of Frank Thompson 04/10/1917 page 2

IMAGE19A/26 Record of Commemoration Frank Thompson 14/10/1915

IMAGE19A/27Badgers Dell, Beckingham for sale

IMAGE19A/28 Top Copied 10/1984 Neg 17 Beckingham Mill c 1900 Miss Tong’s photograph

IMAGE19A/29 Bottom Copied 03/1992 Neg 24 Miss Gosling’s picture of the Mill.

IMAGE19A/30 Jabez Wilkinson who lived at and ran the mill at Beckingham at the same time as one at Gringley on the Hill. He was born 1786.

IMAGE19A/31Copied from a painting owned by Miss Mabel Gosling. Beckingham Mill.

IMAGE19A/32 Wilkinsons Mill at Beckingham situated off the Gringley Road. Built c 1800 photograph c 1900 after the tower had an extra storey added.

IMAGE19A/33 Isle of Axholme and Gainsborough News Article

BECKINGHAM MILL, CENSUS RETURNS

1831
Mr Hankin, householder, 3 males, 2 females
(Did William Brown, 1 male, 1 female live in a part of the house at this time? Or did he live in part of Pear Tree Hill Cottage?)

1841 Mill Hill
William Taylor 35 Miller
Ann Taylor 25
Mary Taylor 8
George Taylor 2
Sarah Taylor 6 months
Joseph Pycroft 20 Journeyman
John Thorsby 15 Journeyman
Sarah Gabbatus 15 Female Servant
Hannah Brooks 50 Nurse

1851 Schedule 57 Beckingham
John Wilkinson Head M 34 Miller, employing 1 apprentice Gringley
Mary Wilkinson Wife M 36 Clayworth
Daniel Wilkinson Son 8 Scholar Clayworth
John Wilkinson Son 5 Scholar Clayworth
Sarah M Wilkinson Dau 3 Clayworth
Sarah Hunt Mother in law widow 58? Grocer Clayworth
Mary Richardson Servant Unm 16 House servant Worksop
Tom Fish Battle? Apprentice Unm 18 Miller (apprentice) North Collingham
William Firman? Servant Unm 2? Miller (journeyman) Waddington, Lincolnshire

1861 Schedule 79 Mill House
John Wilkinson Head M 44 Master Miller, occ 7 acres land Gringley
Mary Wilkinson Wife M 47 Miller’s Wife Clayworth
Daniel Wilkinson Son Unm 18 Joiner (apprentice) Clayworth
John Wilkinson Son Unm 16 Miller’s son Clayworth
Sarah M Wilkinson Dau Unm 13 Clayworth
Tom H Wilkinson Son 9 Scholar Beckingham
Mary E Wilkinson Dau 4 Scholar Beckingham
Alfred Otter Apprenctice Unm 20 Miller (apprentice) Willingham, Lincolnshire

1871 Schedule 49 Mill House
John Wilkinson Head Unm 26 Miller Clayworth
Tom Henry Wilkinson Brother Unm 19 Miller Beckingham
Mary Elizabeth Wilkinson Sister Unm Scholar Beckingham

1881 Schedule 46 This appears to be the Mill House
Tom H Wilkinson Head M 28 Corn Miller, Master, employing 1 man Beckingham
Ann E Wilkinson Wife M 27 Blyth
Tom H Wilkinson Son 3 Beckingham
Frederick G Wilkinson Son 1 Beckingham
Joseph Swindin Servant 20 Miller Corn Blyth
Grace E Taylor Servant 18 Domestic Servant Pimperne, Dorset

1881 Schedule 65 High Street Probably Gamson’s House at High Street Corner
John Wilkinson Head M 36 Corn Miller Clayworth
Kate Wilkinson Wife M 25 Sheffield
Margaret B Wilkinson Dau 3 Beckingham

1891 Schedule 61 Pear Tree Hill, Mill House
Tom H Wilkinson Head M 39 Corn Miller Beckingham
Ann E Wilkinson Wife M 38 Blyth
Tom H Wilkinson Son 13 Scholar Beckingham
Frederick G Wilkinson Son 11 Scholar Beckingham
Gertrude E Wilkinson Dau 9 Scholar Beckingham
Elsie A Wilkinson Dau 7 Scholar Beckingham
Percy W Wilkinson Son 5 Scholar Beckingham
Ella M Wilkinson Dau 2 Beckingham
Florence A Wilkinson Dau 9 months Beckingham
Mary Mills Servant 21 General Servant Domestic Boughton
Robert Milbourn Servant 20 Farm Servant Clarborough

1901 Schedule 67 Mill Hill
Thomas H Wilkinson Head M 49 Flour Miller and Baker Own acc Beckingham
Ann E Wilkinson Wife M 48 Blythe, Nottinghamshire
Frederick G Wilkinson Son S 21 Flour Miller and Bread maker Worker Beckingham
Gertrude E Wilkinson Dau S 19 Beckingham
Elsie A Wilkinson Dau S 17 Beckingham
Percy W Wilkinson Son 15 Beckingham
Ella M Wilkinson Dau 12 Beckingham
Florence A Wilkinson Dau 10 Beckingham
John J Wilkinson Son 8 Beckingham
Joseph T Wilkinson Son 6 Beckingham

BECKINGHAM MILL

There is no mention of a mill in the Beckingham account in the Domesday Book. Only watermills were in use at that time apart from handmills. There is no brook in Beckingham that could have provided a sufficient head of water to run a water-mill.

Thoroton mentions that in the eighteenth year of Richard II’s reign (c 1359), a jury found that John Bekingham of Bekingham in the Clay, esquire, might give four messuages, 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 of which were likewise held of the said Thomas archbishop of York in socage for 2 shillings per annum for all services. After the dissolution of the monasteries this land went to William Spurr, later to Sir Brian Lassells, then it was bought by Alderman Meynell. But when the Meynell Estate was sold in 1779 to Robert Cross, William Cross and William Flint. There is no mention of a mill, so it must have been sold at an earlier date.

Colbeck’s map of 1736 shows the mill up a short lane near Pear Tree Hill on the Gringley Road. There may at one time have been another mill just to the west of the Old Hall, now called Croft House in a field called Mill Hill Close, but there is no hill! The open field called the Long Man Hedge Field on the Enclosure Map of 1777 was called the New Mill Field in 1736, which also indicates the existence of a second mill.

At the enclosure a road 40 feet wide was set out to run from the new Gringley Road to the mill. The holding at that date was only 37 perches in area.

Early millers found in Beckingham Marriages Registers are:-
Richard Sayles, Milner, mar Dorritie Craine, w, 20/04/1631
George Bowne, milner, mar Ann Foxe, sp 05/04/1638
The above men may have been from other parishes marrying Beckingham girls. They do not appear on Hearth Tax or other lists.

BECKINGHAM MILL

OWNER DATE TENANT
John Keyworth 1977 Leonard Billet
Enclosure Award Sale Notice
Francis Hankin 1779 or later John Atkinson
See valuation
1785 G Johnson Town Book letting of grazing
Francis Hankin 1832 Mr Hankin
1832 Directory 1831 census
1844 William Taylor
1841 Census & 1844 Directory
1851 Edmund Stovin, son of Edmund
Non-resident miller, see census
John Wilkinson 1853 and 1864 John Wilkinson
Directories 1851 and 1861 Directories
John and Thos Wilkinson 1879
Thos Henry Wilkinson 1908
Chapman Chapman
Mrs Florence Chapman 1932 Probably the last miller
William Dawson c 1939
Barbara Knott was a Dawson
Mrs Brumby sold March 1954 to John Simpson who is still there in 1997.

NOTES

The mill offered for sale in 1777, was most likely a post-mill. (See Stamford Mercury advert). Chapman’s map of 1774 shows a post-mill, but that could just be the conventional way of depicting mills. When offered for sale in 1777, the house, barn and stable were described as newly built.

In 1807 Cubitt’s Patent Sails were put on the market. This invention enabled the sails to be adjusted from inside the tower instead of having to climb the sails. This allowed the height of the tower to be increased to get more wind. This tower, in c1890, had several feet added, which is visible on photographs because the sides of the extension did not taper, otherwise the cap would not have fitted. The expense was not really justified because an engine was installed soon afterwards to make grinding possible on windless days. The mill was last used during World War II using engine power only. It was demolished shortly after the war.

Bread was baked at the mill premises at the beginning of the twentieth century, and was delivered by horse and cart. The bread was baked in a large 9 feet diameter beehive oven near the chimney stack. The brick dome of the oven was covered in sand which was protected by tiles. The Simpsons ran a millk delivery business form the premises and also kept pigs. The beehive oven was partly demolished to turn it into a pig pen, and in 1995 the walls are about 4 feet high.

Mr and Mrs J B Simpson, along with their son Ray, ran a bottled milk delivery service in Beckingham and Gringley. This was sold in late 1989. Their field to the east of the homestead now contains an oil-well. Mr and Mrs Simpson, though retired, continue to live at the mill-house in 1997.

For several years after World War II a Mr Geo. White lived in a caravan on the premises. He worked at Marshalls, and because of this height was known as “Split-pin”. Previously he had lived at The Beeches, Gringley, with the Hill family. Here he was known as “Wireless Willy”.

A report in the Stamford Mercury of 13 September 1839 records an inquest of September 1839 on Thomas Taylor aged 71 who was hit and killed by a mill sail when visiting his brother at Beckingham. (Information from Brian Clifton).

Alwin Ingall says that a John Darcy once lived here.

There does not appear to have been a workman’s cottage on the premises. In 1841 the servants lived in the Mill House with Mr Taylor the miller.

The Town’s Book for Beckingham re Lane Lettings:- G Johnson, miller took Ravenscroft Lane in 1785.
The lane to the mill is mentioned in 1786.

Oliver Bosley said his grandfather Bill Berry worked at the mill.

The 1831 census lists:-
Ann Keyworth, householder, 2 males, 2 females
She could have been the spinster daughter of John Keyworth.

The 1891 census lists:- High Street, schedule 91, 4 rooms
William Berry, head mar, 25 Miller, born Beckingham
Rose A Berry, wife mar, 21 Beckingham, Lincolnshire

This was near the Hare and Hounds, perhaps on the Green.
The above William was son of John Berry, who lived on High Street at what is now called The Hollies. William later lived at Ravenscroft and even later at Holme House. He was grandfather of Oliver Bosley.

John Brumby, telephone 01636 702702, is said by Ray Simpson to have information about the date of 1640 on the wooden drive shaft of Beckingham Mill. The Brumby family lived at the Mill House until 1954 and were most likely there when the mill was demolished. John Brumby says that the family lived at Marsh Farm until 1940 at which time they were flooded and they got temporary accommodation at the Hare and Hounds, after which they moved to what Mr Brumby called Teale Farm. After a short time they bought the Mill and traded in animal feeds, which were rationed at that time ie during and after World War II. Mr Brumby died and Mrs Brumby sold the property to John Simpson in 1954. Other Brumby sons are Irvin and Chick as at 1998.

IMAGE19A/34 John Wilkinson’s Book 1853

IMAGE 19A/35 The Wilkinson Family of Millers

Born

John Wilkinson 1817
Mary (Hunt) 1815
Daniel Wilkinson 1843
John Wilkinson 1846
Sarah M Wilkinson 1848
Copies 10/1927 Newspaper

IMAGE19A/36 The Wilkinson Family of Millers

IMAGE19A/37 Beckingham Mill Receipt 14/09/1891

IMAGE19A/38 The Wilkinson Family of Millers 30/04/2001

IMAGE19A/39 The Wilkinson Family of Millers 30/04/2001 continued Sheet 2

IMAGE19A/40 The Wilkinson Family of Millers 30/04/2001 continued Sheet 3

NOTES ON THE WILKINSON FAMILY OF MILLERS

The following notes are references to the family tree.

Information from a letter to Frederick Leonard Wilkinson of Burnham gave information on:-

John = Sarah, John, Jane, Hyda, John, Elizabeth (married to Jabez) Jules, William, Mary/Charles, Joseph, Gervase, Margaret Joyce (Daughter of Herbert Jabez).

(Some of the dates in this letter do not correspond to the ones from the census returns. Census return dates are on the tree).

Daniel (=Sarah Geary) B 11/02/1843 Clayworth, D 15/02/1905 62 years Southport,

Sarah buried with son William Hallet.

Cecil J Buried on Isle of White, wife Margaret buried at Haxey.

INFORMATION OF THE HEAVENERS SUPPLIED BY JOSEPH CHARLES FREDERICK (B1943)

From headstones at Beckingham.

Mary wife of John, d 20/06/1864 aged 50 years.

John, d 26/09/1896 aged 80 years buried with daughter Sarah Marriott, d 09/03/1867 aged 19 years.

Tom Henry, d 22/05/1930 78 years, Ann Elizabeth Swinden, d 20/06/1921 68 years buried with adopted daughter Doreen.

Sarah Marriott, d 09/03/1867 19 years, buried with her father John, d 26/09/1896 aged 80 years.

John Jabez (son of Tom Henry and Ann) d 23/03/1953 aged 60.

Ella Mary (daughter of Tom Henry and Ann) d 28/02/1953 aged 64.

Ralph Gordon (son of Tom Henry and Ann) d 224/03/1898 3 weeks buried with his father Tom Henry.

The following information from the Church of the Latterday Saints. www.familysearch.org is given outside of brackets.

A reference gives Jabez Wilkinson bap 17/11/1786 Headon, Nottingham (form a map Headon is approximately 6 miles south of Gringley.

A reference gives John Wilkinson Bap 02/06/1816 and married Mary Hunt c1842 Clayworth.

A reference gives John Wilkinson Bap 06/09/1812 son of Jabes and Elizabeth, the other John is also referenced also. (The assumption is that this John died young).

A reference gives Jabez Wilkinson B1797 Gringley married Hanna Barker 07/06/1827 at Beckingham. (Don’t think this is the same Wilkinsons).

A reference gives Jabez Wilkinson B or Bap? 14/04/1822 son of Jabez and Elizabeth.

NOTES OF THE WILKINSON FAMILY OF MILLERS

This was also found.

There is a reference to a John Wilkinson marrying a Sarah Clark on 06/06/1732 at East Leak and another reference gives Lenton as the village. (There is an East Leak to the south of Nottingham but on the map used there was no Lenton although I know of Lenton Lane in the west of Nottingham)>

There is a reference to a John Wilkinson marrying a Sarah Spooner on 26/06/1734 at Mansfield, (Mansfield is approximately 25 miles from Gringley, 20 miles east of Headon 15 miles north of Nottingham).

There is a reference to a John Wilkinson Bap 29/08/1756 at North Leverton (which is 5 miles north east of Headon).

There is 2 references to John Wilkinson – also spelt Wilkison – marrying Mary Hunt on 12/08/1745 at Stamford on Soar Nottingham, (There is a Stanford on Soar next to the village of East Leak).

(It could be that 3s and 8s may not be clear on the documents they used about John and Sarah and therefore the above could be 1780 or 1784. There could be a typing error (7 in place of 8) for John and Mary if so how come they married at Clayworth also. It all could be coincidence, or might they be bands of marriage).

(The above were the only references so far found anywhere near this part of the country – will try later).

IMAGE19A/41 Beckingham Mill Receipt 14/09/1891

IMAGE19A/42 Stanford Mercury 21/08/1777 P 4 col 1 Copy John Simpson

IMAGE19A/43 Stamford Mercury 13/09/1839 P 2 col 3

IMAGE19A/44 Mill Farm Beckingham J B Simpson Milkman Advert

IMAGE19A/45 Retford Times 17/04/1931 P 9

IMAGE19A/46 Stamford Mercury 02/10/1840 P1 col 6

IMAGE19A/47 Link with Beckingham’s Past The News 18/02/1966

IMAGE19A/48 Lions Change Over Chains Retford Times 01/07/1999

FROM MISS GOSLING’S NEWS CUTTINGS C1900

Ernest Rayner, baker was charged with being drunk whilst in charge of a horse and wagon on 30th instant PC Would? Saw him fall from the cart hurting his face. Pleaded guilty fined 10 shillings.

(Was he perhaps employed by Wilkinson’s Millers and bakers).

A John Wilkinson was buried at Gringley 30/09/1895 at Gringley aged 80. This was noted in Beckingham PR’s. Ralph Gordon W was buried at Beckingham 26/03/1898 aged 3 weeks. As well as the Beckingham mill, the Wilkinsons also ran one at Gringley, and one of the same family had a mill at Burnham near Haxey. This latter mill, although having ceased to be a functioning mill, was still the centre of an animal feed business until the middle 1990’s.

Fred Gosling recalls the yearly event of the stone dresser visiting the mill to recut the grinding surface of each stone. He slept in the mill until the job was done after which he moved to the next mill on his circuit. He stayed about a week being fed by the miller’s wife and sleeping in the mill.

Mrs Barbara Knott says that her father, Mr W M Dawson, used the mill for one year only. They followed Chapmans circa 1936. She recollects there being a disused well in the front garden and also a well in an outhouse between the house and the cowshed with a pump outside.

She also recalls her father saying that Mr John Dickinson once approached him asking for a loan, but was unable to oblige. Money was very scarce in the 1930 decade. This was when Mr Dawson had a lorry business and before he bought the mill. He regretted his inability to help when in 02/1933 Mr Dickinson killed himself.

Some repairs were carried out by the village joiner, John Bee in the late 19th and 20th century. Fred Gosling says that John Bee was very adept at replacing broken wooden cogs in the gear wheels.

The engine used to supplement wind power was made by Ruston Hornby of Lincoln, running on paraffin. A replacement of greater horse power was later installed which ran on diesel.

IMAGE19A/49 Beckingham Mill, Beehive Oven

IMAGE19A/50 Pear Tree Hill Cottage, Beckingham c1960 Copied from slide

PEAR TREE HILL COTTAGE, GRINGLEY ROAD

Demolished circa 1960. There is now an oil well site in the field behind, with access where the cottage stood.

Census Returns

1831 Could William Brown have lived in part of this cottage in 1831? Or the Mill?

(Mary Lane, perhaps mother of Collin below, lived on The Green).

Probably Thomas Taylor, 3 males, 3 females lived at Pear Tree Hill in 1831.

1841 Pear Tree Hill
Collin Lane 25 Agricultural labourer (Colin Lane and Mary Brown married 08/01/1835 at Beckingham)
Mary Lane 25
William Brown 70 Agricultural labourer

1851 Schedule 58 Beckingham
Edward Spindell Head M 35 Agricultural labourer Springthorpe
Sarah Spindell Wife M 32 Northorpe
Joseph Spindell Son 8 Northorpe
William Spindell Son 4 Southorpe
Elizabeth Spindell Dau 3 Beckingham
Ann Spindell Dau 1 month Beckingham

1861 Schedule 80 Pear Tree Hill
William Pask Head M 36 Agricultural labourer Wragby
Sarah Pask Wife M 38 Scotter
Hannah Pask Dau 12 Scholar Kexby
Mary Ann Pask Dau 10 Scholar Kexby
Sarah Pask Dau 7 Scholar Beckingham
Fanny Pask Dau 5 Beckingham
Betsy Pask Dau 2 Beckingham

1871 Schedule 48 Pear Tree Hill
Joseph Coulbeck Head M 47 Agricultural labourer Ashby, Lincolnshire
Mary Coulbeck Wife M 46 Upton
Enderby Coulbeck Son 10 Scholar Springthorpe
Silesia Coulbeck Dau 12 Springthorpe

1881 Schedule 47
William Bond (perhaps) Head M 55 Farmer of 35 acres Edenham, Lincolnshire
Patience Bond Wife M 56 Gainsborough, Lincolnshire

1891 Unoccupied
Ernest Johnson:- Ted Cash Probably Gray in the 1950’s (PJM)
Ann Bell:- Holmes

Census Returns Continued

1901 Schedule 68 Pear Tree Hill 4 rooms
Thomas Brown Head M 54 Agricultural labourer Worker Caistor
Alice Brown Wife M 45 Louth
William Brown Son S 13 South Kelsey
Ellen Brown Dau 11 Bentley, Yorkshire
Annie Brown Dau 9 Nutwell, Yorkshire
Herbert Brown Son 4 Willingham

IMAGE19A/51 Stamford Mercury 01/07/1842 P4 col 1 this article is included here because Edward Cross would most likely be a close relative of Robert and William Cross who bought Meynell Estate and built Pear Tree Hill Farmstead.

IMAGE19A/52 Top Neg 11 Pear Tree Hill Farm 02/1984

IMAGE19A/53 Bottom Neg 21 West side of Farmhouse 07/1984

PEAR TREE HILL FARM

In 1736 the land was to become this farm was partly part of the open Mill Field, and partly Old Mill Closes belonging to Littleton Meynell.

In 1777 at the Enclosures the Mill Closes belonged to the Heirs of Godfrey Meynell. In the Enclosure Award of 1779, much of the surrounding Old Mill Field was allocated to the estate of Meynells Heirs, who then sold the whole of their Beckingham Estate to Robert and William Cross of Gringley and William Flint of Beckingham.

The Cross family made this block of land straddling the Gringley Road and amounting to perhaps 300 acres, into a farm and built a new farmstead on the north side of the road. This was probably started in the 1780’s. There is the date 1796 and initials RC on a cattle shed beam but this may be later than the building date of the house, barn and stable.

Robert Cross, son of Robert was the first to live and farm here until about 1820 when he retired to the Limes on High Street and his son William took over the farm. William became bankrupt in 1832 (see News), and moved to Croft House, the Old Hall and Mansion House of the Meynell Estate, where his wife opened a boarding school and William became Registrar (See newsbook). Probably tenant of R Duckle who bought in 1836.

In 1833, see DD629/17-26 at Nottinghamshire Records Office. Copy of proceedings in Chancery relating to errors in Parish Registers of the entries of the marriage of Mr and Mrs Robert Cross and the baptism of William Cross affecting the title of the Pear Tree Hill Estate. 1833.

Later occupiers of the farm are shown on the census returns of 1841 to 1891.

In the 1920’s and possibly earlier it was farmed by John Dickinson of the Hall and occupied by his son Jack until 1932 when John Dickinson killed himself and his son moved to South Sandy Furze.

The farm was bought by Fred Bell whose family farm it today in 1997. Fred married Ethel M the daughter Beckingham blacksmith Abraham Holmes.

Violet Holmes married Ted Aldam of Misterton. Information Oswald Harrison. I can remember Fred Bell fox hunting in the 1930’s. I can also remember hearing that at one time he was foreman for John Dickinson. He accidentally drowned one night c1970 when he fell into a water trough whilst he was inspecting cattle.

Since Fred Bell’s death the farm has been run by his sons Roland and Gerald. Their sister Esme Ranby may have some interest in the farm.

The large L-shaped three storied house, after years of neglect, was demolished in 1984. There was a cellar below the house. The back part was probably only two storied, and there were cottages attached at the northern end.

Today, 1997, Roland lives in a caravan at the farm, and Gerald lives with his wife, Ann nee Campion, on Low Street. Gerald had a stroke in 1992. He had previously suffered heart attacks and had brucellosis.

IMAGE19A/53 Listed building description

I do not know the present acreage of the farm, but there are three oil well sites on the land: one on the White Cottage site on the Gringley Road, another opposite the farmstead on the south side of the Gringley Road. The third is in the north west corner of the farm.

The Bells once had a milk herd and kept pigs and poultry, but in the 1990’s they have cattle, sheep and arable. Circa 1950, PC Unwin, the local policeman, was caught one night stealing poultry from the farm. He is said to have had a woman friend to supply as well as his wife. He lost his job.

For more information on the Meynell Estate see the box file, the section on Croft House in the Bar Road Village Book and section on Beckingham Wood Farm in the Village Book.

William Cross bankruptcy

The Lincolnshire Family History Society Magazine, 09/1996 (Vol 7, No 3) Page 134.

Bankruptcies are listed in The Times and London Gazette.
‘From about 1700 bankruptcy was a relatively comfortable alternative to the debtor’s prison, but until 1861 it was only open to “tradesmen”.

Perhaps this was the reason for William Cross being described as merchant, dealer and chapman, instead of farmer, on the newspaper notice of 26/12/1832.

Adam Stark’s Newsbook

“……..Mr William Cross, late of Pear Tree Hill, was elected relieving officer 1837”.

07/07/1840 Died Robert Cross of Beckingham aged 86.

PEAR TREE HILL MENTIONED IN CROFT HOUSE DEDS AND DETAILS OF WILL OF LITTLETON POYNTZ MEYNELL

The above are filed under CROFT HOUSE but also relate to Pear Tree Hill Farm and Wood Farm.

Deeds, Wills, etc are now kept in a separate file for the Meynell and Cross families.

See black box file.

31/10/1894

Details of Conveyance of land at Beckingham from Cross Family to the Wesleyan Methodists are in Chapel file and in Will folder, or in Black Box File, labelled Cross.

PEAR TREE HILL FARM

Census Returns relating to the Farm House

1831
Mr William Cross, 3 males, 7 females (Bankrupt in 1832 At Croft House in 1841)

(27 July 1837 Mr John Twidale, farmer of Pear Tree Hill, Beckingham, married Ann, daughter of Mr Sleightholme of Scampton at Northorpe by the Revd C Milnes. See the Lincolnshire FHS Magazine 12/1995. Why is he not on the census return?)

1841
George Gibson 50 Farmer
Mary Gibson 50
William Gibson 20
John Gibson 20
Mary Gibson 15
William Golland 15 Male Servant
Rebecca Gilbert 15 Female Servant

White’s Directory lists George Gibson at Pear Tree Hill in 1844, 1849, 1853 and 1864.

1851 Schedule 61 Pear Tree Hill
George Gibson Head M 61 Farmer of 300 acres, 3 labourers Upton, Lincolnshire
Mary Gibson Wife M 61 Upton, Lincolnshire
William Gibson Son Unm 30 Farmer’s son Upton, Lincolnshire
John Gibson Son Unm 2? Farmer’s son employed at home
John Pygott Servant Unm 22? Farm servant Rampton
John Hempsall Servant Unm 19 Farm servant Beckingham
Elizabeth Loman Servant Unm 21 House servant Laughton, Lincolnshire

1861 Schedule 81 Pear Tree Hill Farm
George Gibson Head M 71 Farmer of 150 acres, 1 labourer Upton, Lincolnshire
Mary Gibson Wife M 71 Farmer’s wife North Leverton, Nottinghamshire
Mary Streets Gdau Unm 22 Domestic servant Kexby, Lincolnshire
William Tyson Servant Unm 21 Carter Upton, Lincolnshire
Benjamin Spingle Servant Unm 15 Farm servant Willingham, Lincolnshire

1871 Schedule 45 Pear Tree Hill Farm
Thomas Skinner Head M 31 Farmer of 150 acres, 1 man Kirton Lindsey
Mary Skinner Wife M 27 Wife Kirton Lindsey
Thomas Skinner Son 1 Beckingham
Sarah Jane Hutchinson Servant 10 General Servant Domestic Lincoln
William Robinson Servant 14 Farm Servant Indoor Gringley
John Gray Servant 13 Farm Servant Indoor Beckingham

1881 Schedule 48 Pear Tree Hill
Richard Matthews Head M 68 Farmer of 84 acres Somerby, Lincolnshire
Sarah Matthews Wife M 69 Appleby, Lincolnshire
Elizabeth Milbourn Dau W 38 Dressmaker Crosby, Lincolnshire
Arther J Matthews G Son 14 Farmer’s Boy Beckingham
Harriet Matthews G dau 13 Clarborough
Mary E Matthews G dau 11 Clarborough
Robert Matthews G Son 10 Clarborough

(Richard Matthews was living at Beecher Lane in 1891).

1891 Schedule 62 Pear Tree Hill
Johnson Selby Head M 62 Farmer Haxey, Lincolnshire
Annie Selby Wife M 60 Haxey, Lincolnshire
Eleanor Selby Dau S 25 Farmer’s Daughter Lichfield, Staffordshire
Albert J Selby Son S 24 Farmer’s Son Lichfield, Staffordshire
Arther R Selby Son S 22 Farmer’s Son Lichfield, Staffordshire
Ernest Selby Son S 21 Farmer’s Son Lichfield, Staffordshire
Christiana Selby Dau S 19 Farmer’s Daughter Lichfield, Staffordshire
Percy N Selby Son S 17 Farmer’s Son Lichfield, Staffordshire

1901 Schedule 69 Pear Tree Hill
Arthur R Selby Head S 30 Farmer Employer Headley, Staffordshire
Annie Selby Mother W 69 Living on own means Langholme
Eleanor A Selby Sister S 32 Farmer’s Daughter Worker Whittington, Staffordshire
Christiana Selby Sister S 28 Farmer’s Daughter Worker Headley, Staffordshire
Percy R Selby Son S 26 Farmer’s Son Worker Headley, Staffordshire
William Robinson Servant S 22 Yardman on Farm Worker Scotter
Richard L Selby Nephew 2 Saundby

PEAR TREE HILL FARM COTTAGE 1
Census Returns

1831
George Gurnhill 4 males, 1 female

1841 Pear Tree Hill
George Gurnhill 35 Agricultural Labourer
Ann Gurnhill 40
John Gurnhill 13
Thomas Gurnhill 11
Frederick Gurnhill 7
Ann Gurnhill 5
Eliza Gurnhill 2
Jane Gurnhill 3 months

1851 Schedule 60 Beckingham
George Gurnhill Head M 48? Agricultural labourer ?
Ann Gurnhill Wife M 50 Walkeringham
John Gurnhill Son Unm 22 Agricultural labourer Walkeringham
Ann Gurnhill Dau 14 Scholar Beckingham
Eliza Gurnhill Dau 12 Scholar Beckingham
Jane Gurnhill Dau 10 Scholar Beckingham

1861 Schedule 82 Pear Tree Hill Farm
George Gurnhill Head M 57 Agricultural labourer Walkeringham
Ann Gurnhill Wife M 60 Labourers Wife Walkeringham
Frederick Gurnhill Son M 27 Agricultural labourer Beckingham
Joseph Gurnhill G Son 4 Beckingham

(Ann Gurnhill, now a widow, has left Pear Tree Hill. Frederick and family also are living on the Green).

1871 Schedule 31 The Green
Ann Gurnhill 31 The Green
Ann Gurnhill Head W 72 Agricultural labourers widow Walkeringham
Joseph Gurnhill G Son 14 Scholar Beckingham
(John Gurnhill and family are on Top ? Street, Schedule 37)

1871 Schedule 46 Pear Tree Hill Farm
Probably
George Sizer Head M 30?
Ann E Sizer Wife M 30
Mary Ann Sizer Dau 6
John R Sizer Son 3
Rebecca Sizer Dau 2
Sarah Ellen Sizer Dau 5 months

PEAR TREE HILL FARM COTTAGE II
Census Returns

1831 Thomas Lane 2 male, 3 female
Where there 3 cottages?
1831 William Giles 2 male, 3 females

1841
Colin Lane 25 Agricultural labourer Colin Lane married Mary Brown at Beckingham 08/01/1835
Mary Lane 25
William Brown 70 Agricultural labourer
Where there 3 cottages?

1841
One house uninhabited

1851 Schedule 59 Beckingham
John Hempsell Head M 55 Agricultural labourer Beckingham
Ann Hempsell Wife M 50 Bole
Harriet Hempsell Dau 11 Scholar Beckingham
Betsy Hempsell Dau 9 Scholar Beckingham
Estinia? Hempsell Dau 6 Scholar Beckingham

1861 Schedule 83 Pear Tree Hill Farm
John Hempsell Head M 65 Agricultural labourer Corringham, Lincolnshire
Ann Hempsell Wife M 61 Bole
Emma Hempsell Dau Unm 17 Beckingham
Emma Hempsell G Dau 5 Beckingham

1871 Schedule 47 Pear Tree Hill Farm
Edward Thompson Head M 28 Agricultural labourer Beckingham
Sarah Ann Thompson Wife M 37 Kexby
John Thompson Son 4 Thorne
Hannah Thompson Dau 7 Beckingham
Lucy Thompson Dau 3 Althorpe

The above cottages I, II, or perhaps III, appear to have been part of the farmhouse and do not seem to be occupied according to the 1881 census, although not marked as uninhabited. Due to the reduced size of the farm, down from 300 acres to 84 acres, extra labour was probably not required. The cottages were perhaps then counted by the enumerator as part of the farmhouse.

BECKINGHAM CENSUS 1891

Schedule 90 High Street 4 rooms (Probably on The Green PJM)

Edward Thompson Head M 49 Agricultural labourer Beckingham, Nottinghamshire
Sarah A Thompson Wife M 48 Kexby, Lincolnshire
Thomas H Thompson Son 15 ?Scholar Blyton, Lincolnshire
William Thompson Son 6 ?Scholar Blyton, Lincolnshire
Frank Thompson G Son 1 Beckingham, Nottinghamshire

The above mentioned William and Frank appear to be the two killed in the Great War.

Frank was probably the illegit son of Lucy who appears on the 1871 census at Pear Tree Mill Farm, Beckingham.

See also 1871 census, Pear Tree Hill, Schedule 47.

PEAR TREE HILL FARM ADDENDA

From Beckingham Hall deeds loaned to Nottinghamshire Records Office 629/17. Copy of proceedings in Chancery relating to errors made in parish registers of the entries of the marriage of Mr and Mrs Robert Cross and of the baptism of William Cross affecting the title to the Pear Tree Hill Estate 1833.

See also 629/18, 19, 20.

Information on the Cross Family is in the Cross box file.

IMAGE19A/54 Top 02/19898 Neg 8 Pear Tree Hill Farm, east side of barn.

IMAGE19A/55 Bottom 02/1989 Neg 1 South side stables and pigeon cote.

IMAGE19A/56 Copy of letter to Mr Mason 16/05/1995

IMAGE19A/57 Old Comtemptibles Association Letter 17/08/1961

IMAGE19A/58 Most announcements on this page give the date of 12/1831 but in the case of the bankruptcy of W M Cross the date appears to be 1835. This must be a misprint. PJM

IMAGE19A/59 12/1994 Neg 4a Sandy Furze Farm, Gringley Road Originally Sandy Furrs (Furrows)

SANDY FURZE

The back bedroom is said to have been used as a gambling den during World War II.

SANDY FURZE OR SANDY FURRE FARM

In 1736 this was part of the all arable Mill Field.

In 1777 it was allotted to Roger Fretwell and measured 47 a 0 r 18 p
There is no mention of a house on census returns until 1861 when it is called Sandy Furre Farm. Furre was the local pronunciation of furrow, which has been corrupted to Furze.

Mr Harrison says it was farmed by Billy Key, then Mr Day and his son Billy Day, who married a Northing girl from Gringley Grange. They had a daughter, Mary, who in 1997 lives in Gainsborough and is seen in a wheelchair.

It was sold c 1965 and bought by Derek Barton. There are around 60 acres. Around 1980 the house and buildings were sold off to D M Hebblewhite who runs a lime spreading business. The land continues with Bartons.

It does not appear to have had a big range of buildings and probably no threshing barn. The house had a Welsh slate roof until damaged by gales around 1980. It was perhaps built later than Pear Tree Farm, most likely in Victorian times. The porch and windows are newish.

In the 1930’s Billy Day ran it partly as a poultry farm and opened the house as a tearoom with a grass tennis court in the garden.

Kelly 1932 – Wm Day Farmer

Percy Proudley – Owned by Day, father of Billy Day and a relation of Percy’s mother. Once farmed by the Bell family.

Brickwork rendered.
Window openings and windows have all been changed at the front.
Front porch is new.
There was probably a chimney stack at the west end.
The roof was once covered in Welsh slates, but after gale damage, probably in the 1970’s the slates were replaced with tiles.

On skin 17 of the Beckingham Enclosure Award are given the details of the arrangement whereby the Proprietors of Beckingham agree to give the 1 acre of land allocated to the Surveyor of Highways to Roger Fretwell of Gringley in exchange for access to gravel on the premises of Roger Fretwell of Gringley. PJM

“And whereas it having been signified to us by the proprietors of Beckingham that the lands set apart for the getting of gravel for repairs of highways in Beckingham is not capable of producing the materials proper for the purpose and a piece of land in Gringley, which parish adjoins upon the parish of Beckingham being fixed upon as more proper for the purpose an agreement hath been entered into between the proprietors and surveyors of the highways of Beckingham of one part and Roger Fretwell of Gringley of the other part for exchanging the lands hereinafter described in the manner hereinafter mentioned. (that is to say) the proprietors of Beckingham together with the surveyors of highways of said parish have agreed to grant and assign unto the said Roger Fretwell his heirs and assigns. All that piece of land, parcel of the mill field containing by survey one acre Gringley road south an allotment made to Roger Fretwell west and north, an allotment made to Godfrey Meynell’s heirs east to hold unto the said Roger Fretwell his heirs and assigns in exchange for stone and gravel in the land and premises hereinafter mentioned and the said Roger Fretwell in consideration thereof hath for himself and his heirs agreed to grant and assign to the proprietors of Beckingham and the surveyors of highways for the time being full power and free liberty with men horses wagons cars and carriages for getting gravel and other materials for the making mending and repairing the highways and private roads in Beckingham in that piece of land parcel of the said Roger Fretwell’s homestead situate at Gringley containing by survey 20 perches and now set out and staked out bounded on east and south by a homestead belonging to John Ratcliffe on the north by the town street and on the west by Roger Fretwells homestead now in the tenure or occupation of the said Roger Fretwell to hold unto the said proprietors of Beckingham and the surveyor of highways of Beckingham for the time being for the purpose of getting stone and gravel in exchange for the piece of land afore mentioned and the said parties having agreed to the above exchange are desired and ratify and confirm the same we the said commissioners do hereby declare our consent to the exchange and do hereby go as far as we have power to ratify and confirm the same provided also that the proprietors of Beckingham or the surveyors of highways of Beckingham shall not at any time dig for or get gravel at any time or other materials for mending, making or repairing of the said roads lower than the level of the turnpike road at the north end of the said Roger Fretwell’s homestead!.

The above is a transcript of a typewritten transcript made for Joseph Watson the ship builder.

Roger Fretwell of Beckingham and Roger Fretwell of Gringley appear to be either the same man or otherwise father and son. PJM

1861 CENSUS BECKINGHAM

No 84 Sandy Furre Farm
George Popple Head M 48 Farmer of 66 acres 2 labourers Burton on Stather
Catherine Popple Wife M 49 Farmer’s wife Spalding
Harriet M Popple Dau 7 Gainsborough
Ann Peck Unm 16 House Servant Scotter

1871 CENSUS BECKINGHAM

No 44 Sandy Furre
John Robinson Head M 47 Farmer of 50 acres Misterton
Sarah Robinson Wife M 46 Farmer’s wife Willingham
Joseph Robinson Son Unm 21 Farmer’s son Gringley
Jane Robinson Dau 12 Farmer’s Dau Gringley
Thomas Robinson Son 9 Farmer’s son Gringley
Charlotte Robinson Dau 7 Scholar Gringley
Emily Robinson Dau 5 Scholar Gringley
John Rt Robinson Son 3 Gringley
Samuel Robinson Son 1 Beckingham

1881 CENSUS BECKINGHAM

No 49 Sandy Furze
John Robinson Head M 57 Farmer of 50 acres Misterton
Sarah Robinson Wife M 56 Willingham
Thomas Robinson Son Unm 19 Bricklayer’s apprentice Gringley
John R Robinson Son 13 Gringley
Samuel Robinson Son 11 Scholar Beckingham
William Burks Boarder 13 Farmer’s Day Boy Marton

1891 CENSUS BECKINGHAM

No 63 Sandy Furze
John S Twidale Head M 47 Farmer employer Hatfield Level
Elizabeth Twidale Wife M 37 South Leverton
John Twidale Son 3 Gainsborough
Eliza Cooper Servant S 16 General servant domestic East Stockwith
George Robinson Servant S 15 Farm Servant Misterton

CENSUS RETURNS CONTINUED

1901 Schedule 70 Sandy Furze
Frederick Bell Head M 40 Farmer Employer Stow
Emily Bell Wife M 40 Everton
Walter A Bell Son 9 Walkeringham
Frederick G Bell Son 7 Beckingham
Emily Bell Dau 6 Beckingham
Percy Bell Son 5 Beckingham
Jessie M Bell Dau 3 Beckingham
William Tindall Servant W 65 Horseman on Farm Worker Gringley
Mabel G Fisher Servant S 24 General Domestic Servant Worker Lincoln

1901 Schedule 71 Sandy Furze 2 rooms (not shown as a separate habitation)
James J Brooks Head M 28 Baker and Confectioner Worker Bolingbroke
Izetta Brooks Wife M 26 Gringley
Edith B Brooks Dau 6 Gringley
Mabel A Brooks Dau 5 March, Cambridgeshire
Dorothy M Brooks Dau 3 Gringley
Bernard J Brooks Son 1 Gringley

SOUTH SANDY FURZE

Built after the enclosures as a small holding, it has no threshing barn.

Mr O Harrison said that “Darkie” Hethershaw lived there, one of whose daughters married Mr Meredith, who had Charity Farm.

Jack Dickinson lived there in the 1930’s after leaving Pear Tree Farm. It has been farmed and owned for several decades by the Lundy family.

Kelly 1932 – John Everett Dickinson, farmer.

It was bought by Mr Lundy who also rented Clayworth Lane Farm and Clayworth Woodhouse from Laycocks. When he retired it was taken over by Charles Lundy, his son, and then by his grandson, Malcolm.

Fairfield, See Wood Lane section.

Mrs John Dickinson built a house at the south east corner of the field in which this farm is built. This was after the death of her husband in 1932. It is now occupied by Mr and Mrs Edlington, of the Gainsborough Agricultural Machinery Firm, who followed Bessie Watts, who was there in 1967 and 1970.

Mr Brian Edlington died 12/1997.

SOUTH SANDY FURZE FARM, ONCE CALLED WOOD LANE FARM, MUTTON LANE OFF GRINGLEY ROAD.

There was once owned, along with Fairfield House, by the Dickinson Family. Jack Dickinson probably moved here from Pear Tree Farm when his father died in 193? Mrs Dickinson built Fairfield at this time and left the Hall. When Mrs Dickinson died Jack Dickinson with wife and family and his sister Mary sold the a/m property and moved to Ingoldmells on the Lincolnshire coast where they ran a caravan site. I recollect that Jack Dickinson had some partnership with a Mr Ingall and they had a water borehole sinking business.

Gainsborough News 12/08/1949 Drewery and Wheeldon advertise for sale by auction at Assembly Rooms, Gainsborough on 16/08 Lot 1 Wood Lane Farm (later known as South Sandy Furze Farm, Mutton Lane) with house, buildings and about 50 acres of land. Water form a borehole and electricity generated on the premises. 20 acres of land let to Mr W Day for 20 and 31 acres let to Mr Fred Bell at 25 per acre, both subject to tenancies. House and buildings with VP on completion. Total acreage of land 51 acres 2 roods 23 perches.

Lot 2 Fairfield, modern house on Wood Lane, VP Water and electricity from the farm.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORT – 1996

The recent District Council elections have strengthened the majority party in Bassetlaw. The composition of the Council is as follows:-

Labour 35 Conservative 6 New Independent (sacked by the Labour Party after the recent planning enquiry) 4
Liberal 3 Independent 2

At District level the Labour Party has been in power for the past 16 years and they have never been in such a formidable position. There is little doubt that if the opposition group is weak and under represented on committees then democracy is under strain. However, I am sure every effort will be made by the small but dedicated group to ensure that the public interests are protected.

Surprisingly Councillor Les Russon the Leader of the Labour Group was ousted from this position after 15 years.

Sadly, national politics influence local elections and in consequence we have lost the services of some able and experienced long serving councillors.

The Bassetlaw Planning Enquiry Report has now been passed to the Police for their consideration. Since the publication of this damning report the developer involved in the 12 sites under scrutiny has produced additional information on other planning applications which he considered suspect. He names officers and councillors who he alleges were involved.

The Council have now placed advertisements in the local press asking the public to provide any information on planning decisions they consider warrant investigation. It seems the long running saga will continue for many months to come.

West Lane, Beckingham, is a bridle way which runs from Gringley Road to Walkeringham. A worthy notable local resident who regularly walks this lane has complained over a considerable period about rubbish dumped in the area. The Litter Busters were requested to assist and spent some hours removing the debris. The enormous quantity of waste included car and lorry wheels, oil drums, armchairs, asbestos sheeting etc.

I visited the site when the work was in progress and expressed my astonishment at the volume of rubbish. The workers then described some of the appalling jobs they were given. Recently they had to deal with a dead horse!

The review of Local Government in Nottinghamshire has been completed. The Government has finally accepted the recommendation of the Local Government Commission that the only structural change in Nottinghamshire will be the creation of unitary authority in the City of Nottingham. Therefore, we in the rest of the County will remain as we are in the two-tier system.

I feel the loss of the City will be a distinct advantage in that the elected councillors will better reflect the rural nature of a large area of this County. There is no doubt City problems are unique, often insoluble, and an enormous amount of revenue is required to service the conurbation.

It seems the likely date for transfer of power will be 1998. I look forward to a return of the County Authority we sadly lost in 1974.

KENNETH BULLIVANT
COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Printed and Published by Bassetlaw Conservative Association, Holly Mount, London Road, Retford DN22 6BB

 

 

PAIR OF COTTAGES ON THE EAST SIDE OF STATION ROAD, NOW LOW STREET

Census Returns for Southern cottage of the pair.

1831 Census

Perhaps William Keightley, 2 male, 2 female

1841 Census Low Street

Perhaps

John Keightley 60 Agricultural Labourer
Sarah Keightley 20
Susannah Horsley 14
Anthony Horsley 10
George ? 8

1851 Census Beckingham Schedule 97

Perhaps

William Keightley Head Widow 71 Agricultural Labourer Beckingham
William Pygott Son-in-law M 36 Agricultural Labourer Beckingham
Sarah Pygott Son’s wife M 31 Beckingham

1861 Census Low Street Schedule 17

William Pigot Head 46 Agricultural Labourer Rampton
Sarah Pigot Wife 40 Beckingham
William Keightley Father-in-law 86 Agricultural Labourer Gringley on the Hill

1871 Census Station Road Schedule 108

William Newbold Head M 29 Agricultural Labourer Beckingham
Elizabeth Newbold Wife M 31 Epworth
Frederick W Newbold Son 7 Scholar Beckingham
Georgiana Newbold Dau 9 Beckingham
Eliza J Newbold Dau 3 months Beckingham

1881 Census Station Road Schedule 3

Eliza Cassan Wife M 36 Wife of Agricultural Labourer Morton, Lincolnshire
Sarah J Cassan Dau 13 Scholar Gringley
John Cassan Son 11 Scholar Gringley
Annie Cassan Dau 5 Scholar Beckingham

1891 Census Station Road Schedule 14, 4 rooms

George Wood Head Widow 56 Carter Grewelthorpe, Yorkshire

1901 Census Schedule 21 Station Road, 4 rooms

William Parkin Head M 81 Labourer RDC Worker Beckingham
Harriet Parkin Wife M 81 Egmanton
William H Northedge Gson S 15 Labourer Coal Yard Beckingham

IMAGE16A/08 Retford and North Nottinghamshire Guardian 27/04/1988

IMAGE16A/09 Copied 09/1993 Neg 13A. Pair of cottages Station Road, Beckingham, in 1984 before being altered into a single dwelling.

IMAGE16A/10 Developed 08/1993 Neg 9A. Royston Cottage, Station Road, Beckingham, in August 1993 after alterations. Named after an 18th century owner.

IMAGE16A/11 Map of Beckingham

IMAGE16A/12 Map of Beckingham

ROYSTON COTTAGE, STATION ROAD, NOW LOW STREET

1710 This was Mr Royston’s property, see marriage settlement of J Bromhead, Thistle Farm. In 1736 this site totalled 4a, 3r, 37p with close no 79 called Upper Furlong of 3a, 1r, 07p.

In 1777 this same site was estimated at 4a, 0r, 39p with close 54 called now South Field Close of 3a, 2r, 18p. Owner Mary Royston. Received at the enclosure allotment was 3a, 0r, 27p. on Saundby Road and 7a, 1r, 08p and 2a, 0r, 11p in the Marshes. See next page.

Beckingham Marriage Register.
Mr Thomas Royston and Mris Ann Hogard “was married at Retford” 21/05/1683.

The above groom was obviously a man of some importance to be called Mr and to marry at Retford. His bride was given the title of Mris. Which probably indicated rank rather than marital status, ie she was most likely a spinster, not a widow.

Rector’s Book of Clayworth Page 82

The rector recorded in 1688 “that at May day Mr Thomas Royston came from Beckingham with his family to settle at his house here; and on ye 1st of November following, in a difference upon some words, he brake his gun barrel over ye head of Thomas Hellyfield; but after an arrest, and ye beginning of a suit, things were compounded and quieted.”

It seems likely that there is some connection between this property and Royston Manor, but what it can be is not immediately obvious. The Otter family were in Clayworth in 1715 when Roger Otter, Rob Fretwell not George Ryd compiled the inventory of the goods of Thomas Royston. The Otters lived at Royston Manor until c1939. There does not seem to have been sufficient land attached to make a farm or estate of the land at Beckingham. Was Mary Royston of Beckingham at the Enclosures of 1777 the daughter of Thomas Royston of Clayworth who died 1715?

George Bee said the occupiers circa 1895 were:-
Road side cottage Mr S Wharton, joiner at Marshalls Works.
Eastern end Cottage Mr W B Halle.

Percy Proudley:- Wright had far end and Spratt near the road.

It has been difficult to allocate tenants to cottages from the census returns as there is no means of knowing which was listed first.

Mr and Mrs A C Jordan had the building modernised c1980 and made into one house. The brickwork was rendered and the roof altered on the north side. It was probably they who called it Royston Cottage, after Mary Royston who owned the property, which included the other pair of cottages, in 1777.

It is said that this was known as Blue Gates before being called Royston Cottage.

Alwin Ingall says Joe Wright lived here.

SOUTHERN PAIR OF COTTAGES ON STATION ROAD, NOW LOW STREET . NOW ROYSTON COTTAGE A single dwelling since c1980.

LARGER COTTAGE, END TO THE ROAD

1831 Census

Robert Cottam, 3 male, 3 female. Described as yeoman farmer in Whites 1832. He had Freehold Land at Crabtree Close, see 1833/1834 Electoral Roll.

1841 Census Low Street

Robert Cottam 40 Agricultural Labourer
Mary Cottam 35
Robert Cottam 13
Sarah Cottam 12
George Cottam 10
Richard Cottam 7
Mary Cottam 5
Jane Cottam 3
William Cottam 4 months
Sarah Brumhead 55 Inmate (Mother of Mary Cottam. See Brumhead deeds).

1851 Census Beckingham Schedule no 99

Jonathon Crowder Head M 54 Agricultural Labourer Clayworth
Elizabeth Crowder Wife M 49 Dunham
Hannah Crowder Dau 12 Beckingham

1861 Census Low Street Schedule 16

Jonathon Crowder Head M 64 Agricultural Labourer Clayworth
Elizabeth Crowder Wife M 59 Dunham

1871 Census Station Road Schedule 110

Jonathon Crowder Head M 74 Agricultural Labourer Clayworth
Elizabeth Crowder Wife M 69 Dunham

1881 Census Station Road Schedule 2

John Gurnhill Head M 54 Agricultural Labourer Beckingham
Eleanor Gurnhill Wife M 49 Boston Fen
Thomas G Gurnhill Gson 4 Beckingham

1891 Census Station Road Schedule 12

Samuel Wharton Head M 40 Joiner Thorparch Yorkshire
Sarah Ann Wharton Wife M 39 Misterton
Thomas Wharton Son S 18 Labourer in Shipyard Lincoln
Arthur Wharton Son 15 Labourer in Coachyard Beckingham
Frederick W Wharton Son 13 Scholar Beckingham
Ernest Wharton Son 8 Scholar Beckingham

1901 Schedule 19 Station Road, 4 rooms

Henry Waterfield Head M 43 Joiner Worker Sheffield
Sarah J Waterfield Wife M 44 Edingley
Mary Waterfield Mother Widow 79 Holme
Walter Baguley Nephew S 20 Ship Plate Rivetter Worker Mansfield

SOUTHERN PAIR OF COTTAGES ON STATION ROAD, NOW LOW STREET. NOW ROYSTON COTTAGE A Single dwelling since C1980.

SMALLER COTTAGE AT EAST END

1831 Census

George Hall, 3 male, 3 female

1841 Census Low Street

Chas Johnson 35 Agricultural Labourer
Charlotte Johnson 30
Susannah Johnson 15
Rebecca Johnson 10
William Johnson 6
Elizabeth Johnson 3
Ann Johnson 3
Rob Watkinson 50 Agricultural Labourer

1851 Census Beckingham Schedule no 98

Charles Johnson Head M 47 Agricultural Labourer Beckingham
Charlotte Johnson Wife M 43 Retford
Elizabeth Johnson Dau 15 Beckingham
Ann Johnson Dau 13 Beckingham
Enoch Johnson Son 7 Scholar Beckingham
George Johnson Son 4 Beckingham

1861 Census Low Street Schedule 15

Charles Johnson Head M 57 Agricultural Labourer Beckingham
Charlotte Johnson Wife M 53 Retford
Elizabeth Johnson Dau Unm 23 Lately a house servant now out of place. Beckingham
Tomlinson Ranshaw Servant Unm 21 Farm Servant Carter Walkeringham
Enoch Johnson Son Unm 18 Farm Servant Carter Beckingham
William Johnson Gson 9 months Beckingham

1871 Census Station Road Schedule 109 (Probably at Rose Cottage, Low Street in 1861).

William Jaques Head M 62 Agricultural Labourer Not Known
Elizabeth Jaques Wife M 64 Long Collingham
George Jaques Gson 9 Scholar Beckingham
Arthur Jaques Gson 6 Scholar Beckingham
Emily Jacques Gdau 11 Scholar Beckingham

1881 Census Station Road Schedule 1

Elizabeth Jaques Head Widow 75 Collingham
George Jaques Gson 19 Iron Moulder (Apprentice) Beckingham
(Monumental Inscription William Jaques died 08/03/1877 aged 70. Elizabeth his wife died 21/04/1883 aged 78).

1891 Census Station Road Schedule 13, 4 rooms

William P B Halle Head M 51 Accountant Clerk Paris (British Subject)
Amelia P B Halle Wife M 50 London, Middlesex
Percy PB Halle Son 12 Scholar Wimbledon, Surrey

1901 Schedule 20 Station Road, 3 rooms

Alexander Noall Head M 76 Retired Shipwright Sunderland, Durham
Elizabeth Noall Wife M 70 Sunderland, Durham

IMAGE16A/13 Rector’s Book

IMAGE16A/14 Map of Beckingham Station Road

IMAGE16A/15 Mr Timson Pickering Extract from an article about Beckingham in the Doncaster Chronicle of 21/06/1956.

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IMAGE16A/22 Part of Deeds of Mr Timson Pickerings Diary Farm, Beckingham

IMAGE16A/23 Developed 08/1994 Neg 24. Mr H T Pickering’s Dairy farm House, Station Street, Beckingham. 18/08/1994. Mr Pickering now lets this house and lives in the new Round Bungalow across the road having moved from the other bungalow.

IMAGE16A/24 A08/1993 Neg 8A. Mr Tim Pickering’s Diary Farm House Station Road Corner, Beckingham 08/1993. This is now let and he lives in bungalow seen on right of picture.

ROTHERLEIGH DAIRY FARM, STATION ROAD CORNER

1736 This property is shown on the map of that date as a Homestead no 74 of 1 acre 1 rood and no 73 a Home Close of 3 acres 1 rood 8 perches, being part of the estate of Thomas Hall.

1777. The enclosure Map shows it as no 58 of 4 acres 1 rood 31 perches, owned by Thomas Waterhouse, being part of the property he inherited from his brother in law, Thomas Hall.

1795. Thomas Waterhouse died and the estate of around 500 acres plus property in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and shares in Gainsborough Bridge was left in trust to his wife Anne, then on her death to their younger daughter, Elizabeth Hawksmore, then to her children.

1840. Elizabeth Hawksmore Massingberd died and the inheritance passed to her children Hompesch, Christiana Louisa, Ellen and Mary Jane, with the exception of the elder son, Thomas who was excluded by his grandfather’s will from benefiting. This rather odd exclusion was made before his elder son was born. Mrs Mary Teale inherited this Homestead as part of her quarter share. Ann Cliff was the then tenant. On the death of Mrs Teale the ownership passed to her daughter Mrs Meggitt. Included in the Reverend Hompesch Massingberd’s quarter share was South Field Close no 55 on the Enclosure Map and of 2 acres 3 roods 13 perches. More details of this close no 55 and close no 54 which became attached to this holding are given on a later page.

1866. The Tithe Book gives the owner of the homestead as being Mr Rogers and the tenant was George Wells who at some later date must have bought the cottage George Wells also rented the Moor Closes form Miss Rudsdell, who probably acquired them from Mrs Teale.

12/10/1910. George Wells died leaving his property, consisting of this Corner House and Close of 4 acres 1 rood 31 perches no 58 also South Field Close no 54 of 3 acres 2 roods 18 perches and another South Field Close no 55 of 3 acres, in trust for his wife to benefit from the profits thereof. The trustee was George William Thom.

20/10/1913. Mrs Wells died and the three properties were sold on 01/12/1913 to Henry Rose Esquire for £1,365. The two South Field Closes were then in the occupation of John Atkinson Anyan of Croft House.

14/04/1920. Henry Rose died and ownership was transferred to William Henry Rose at which time the tenant was Mrs Rogers.

24/09/1946. William Henry Rose sold the property to Mr Hubert Timson Pickering.

Mr Pickering told me that his business originated in the 1930’s when he collected neighbours milk and delivered it to the diary along with that from their own farm. The family farmed originally at Ernam near Corby Glen before moving to Kneesal. He was born at Osgodby near Market Rasen in 1911.

Later he ran the business from Cottam, but in 1946 he had the opportunity to buy the small holding at Beckingham. This chance came about because Mr Oswald Harrison’s daughter was ill and in Sheffield hospital, and Mrs Harrison was able to get a lift to see her on Mr Pickering’s milk lorry. Mr Harrison heard about the property being likely to come onto the market and told Mr Pickering, who was able to buy it, forestalling Mr Arthur Smithson and Mr Frank Selby, who would have been interested.

Mr Pickering modernised the house and erected buildings nearby for his milk lorries. He later moved from the house into a bungalow he built next door. He bought several nearby closes and when Richard Selby sold his land he bought a cottage on Bar Road North and part of one of the Croft House paddocks and most of the Croft House Farm buildings. The cottage was once a “Dames School” and was bought, with vacant possession, for £5,000. The buildings made £10,000.

Another of Mr Pickering’s purchases was Hall Close, no 31 on the Enclosure Map, the acreage being12.449. This, for many years, from the second half of the nineteenth century, had been part of the Meynell Estate, the mansion house being Croft House, then called The Hall. The estate was sold in 1779 to Messrs Flint and Cross, although the Church “Rental Records” give it as belonging to James Gamson with Flint shown in brackets. Hall Close was offered for sale by auction in 1828 along with other land by Mr Gervase Gamson, the owner occupier at that date. Hall Close was later in the possession of Mr Jack Surfleet whose executors sold it on 28/03/1972 at auction. It was then Ordnance Survey pt 254 of 12.449 acres. It was bought by Hayes Son and Richmond on behalf of Mr H T Pickering for £5,999.

At one time Mr Pickering kept the Rotherleigh Herd of pedigree Jersey cows and retailed milk. This was discontinued and in later years he had a commercial herd of deer. The milk collection and delivery business ceased when the Milk Marketing Board finished and the new Milk Marque did not renew his contract.

Mr Pickering tells the story of a Beckingham farmer, Richard Selby, who in winter kept his binder canvases in the house attic to keep them safe from damp and vermin. This farmer was also in the habit of rolling up banknotes in the canvases as he thought no thief would think of looking there. Mr Pickering intended to buy the binder canvases at the farm sale, but arrived too late so he never knew if there was a hoard of notes secreted therein.

Mr and Mrs Pickering moved to the Rotunda in 1995. Mr Pickering died on 12/08/1997. His herd of deer was also sold, also the depot buildings. Later the Farm House and Depot site were put up for auction and sold by Drewery and Wheeldon on 11/03/1998. The depot site had planning permission for five houses and this are together with the farmhouse was bought by Mr R Heaton, who has since between 1998 and 2001, built five houses.

SOUTH FIELD CLOSE, Enclosure no 54 in 1777

1736 This appears to have belonged to Roystons. It was no 79 and 3a 1r 07p.

1777It belonged to Mary Royston, no 54, 3a 2r 18p. (She also owned the Homestead and Close numbers 59 and 60 which adjoined the above mentioned homestead.

C1779 Thomas Waterhouse had become the owner. The property descended through the family to his granddaughter Mrs Meggitt. Ann Cliff was the tenant.

George Wells probably became tenant, after Ann Cliff, of both properties.

These two properties must at some time have been bought by George Wells. On the death of his widow his trustee Mr Thom sold them, along with another close, to Henry Rose Esquire. See the deeds of these properties.

SOUTH FIELD CLOSE, Enclosure No 55, in 1777

1736 This was no 78 on the map and of 2a 3r 00p. Ownership not given.

1777 Thomas Waterhouse owned it, no 55 2a 3r 13p.

1779 as above.

This close appears to have been part of Rev Hompesch Massingberds share of the Waterhouse estate.

1853 he sold it to Richard Hodgson.

1857 Richard Hodgson of Sheffield sold it to Charles Cliffe of Gamston for £290.0.0. Acreage 2a 3r 25p. This seems expensive.

This close also seems to have been bought by George Wells and on the death of his widow was sold to Henry Rose, along with the Homestead no 58, and another South Field Close no 54. £1,365 was paid for the three properties, 01/12/1913.

There is no known connection between the above mentioned Charles Cliffe of Gamston and Ann Cliffe of Beckingham. The Mr Rogers who according to the 1866 Tithe Records, owned land let to George Wells, was not necessarily connected with the Rogers who were tenants of Mr Rose.

ROTHERLEIGH, STATION ROAD CORNER.

MR H T PICKERING’S DAIRY FARM

1831 Census

Ann Cliff, 3 females

1841 Census

Anne Cliffe 60 Farmer
Joseph Cliffe 30
George Curtis 2
Charlotte Cooper 15 Farm Servant

1851 Census Beckingham Schedule 100

Elizabeth Newbold Head Widow 43 Widow of Agricultural Labourer Beckingham
Eliza Newbold Dau 11 Scholar Beckingham
Francis Newbold Son 7 Scholar Beckingham
Elizabeth Newbold Dau 10 Scholar Morton Carr, Lincolnshire
Mary Newbold Niece M 26 Baker’s Wife Nottingham
M Newbold Nephew 5 Baker’s Son Gainsborough

1861 Census Low Street 1 uninhabited between schedules 14 and 15

(George Wells the next occupier was at this time a Cordwainer and Local Methodist Preacher living with his parents Thomas and Amelia on Bar Road).

1871 Census Station Road Schedule 111

George Wells Head M 35 Coal and Lime Merchant Beckingham
Mary Jane Wells Wife M 34 Grasby, Lincolnshire
Julia Sarah Wells Dau 7 Scholar Beckingham
Annie Maud Dau 4 Beckingham
Bertha Wells Dau 2 Beckingham
Eliza Ann Wells Dau 5 months Beckingham

1881 Census Station Road Schedule 96 Farming 13 acres of land

George Wells Head M 45 Coal and Cake Merchant Beckingham
Mary J Wells Wife M 44 Grasby, Lincolnshire
Julia S Wells Dau Unm 17 Beckingham
Annie M Wells Dau 14 Assistant to Teacher Beckingham
Bertha Wells Dau 12 Scholar Beckingham
Eliza A Wells Dau 10 Scholar Beckingham
Mary E Wells Dau 5 Scholar Beckingham
Emily J Wells Dau 4 Scholar Beckingham

1891 Census Beckingham Schedule 11

George Wells Head M 55 Coal and Cake Merchant Beckingham
Bertha Wells Dau S 22 Dressmaker Beckingham
Eliza A Wells Dau S 20 School Teacher Beckingham
Mary E Wells Dau 15 Beckingham
Emily J Wells Dau 14 Scholar Beckingham
Alice B Hopkins Visitor Widow 71 Living on her own means Gainsborough

(In 1871 Alice Hopkin was Housekeeper, Widow 51 at Beckingham Hall, now called Croft House).

Census Returns Continued

1901 Schedule 18 Station Road

George Wells Head M 65 Cole, Cake and Tillage Own account Beckingham
Mary J Wells Wife M 64 Grasby
Mary E Wells Dau S 25 Beckingham
Emily J Wells Dau S 24 Beckingham

THE ROTUNDA AND CROFT HOUSE FARM BUILDINGS

In 1944 Mr Pickering began altering these farm buildings, purchased in 1973, to make them suitable for housing his collection of horse-drawn vehicles, farm machinery etc. The wooden Dutch barn near the road was demolished to make way for the proposed circular bungalow. The open fronted cartshed in the South East corner of the site fell down in late 1994. The old buildings had been roofed in French and Belgian slates. The date when they were erected is not known, but they were probably built in the second half of the nineteenth century when Croft House was owned by the Duckle family.

In 1995 the new bungalow called The Rotunda was complete and Mr and Mrs Pickering moved there from their other bungalow. Two roadside building plots were sold and houses built thereon which fill the gap between The Rotunda and the existing bungalows on this part of Station Road now renamed as part of Low Street.

Mr Pickering died on 12/08/1997.

The herd of deer were sold, and also the depot buildings. In March 1998 Drewery and Wheeldon auctioned the farmhouse and five building plots. The plots were on the cleared site of the depot and they, together with the house, were bought by Mr R Heaton, who has between then and 2001, built houses on the five plots.

INDENTURE MADE 01/12/1913

Conveyance of a Dwelling House and Three Closes of Land

Will 26 November 1907

William Thom of Normanby by Spital, grocer, executor of will of George Wells who died 12/10/1912. Income to widow of George Wells who died 20/10/1913.

Enclosure no 58 1

Property sold by the trust to Henry Rose for £1,365 4a 1r 31p West and South by Station Road, North and East not stated. Together with house and buildings on South West corner of above land late in occupation of George Wells.

No 54 2

Also South Field Close 3a 2r 18p on north by hereditaments to on west by Gainsborough Road on South by Mrs Bingleys property East by South Field Lane now in occupation of John Atkinson Anyan.

No 55 3

Thirdly pasture land of 3 acres east by South Field Lane west by Gainsborough Road, north by property of Mr Watson south by Mr Anyan, and in occupation of Mr Anyan.

Mr George Wm Thom to Henry Rose Esquire.

Indenture Made 04/06/1857

Between Richard Hodgson of Sheffield
Charles Cliffe of Gamston, farmer
Thomas Hugh Oldham of Gainsborough

Refers to an earlier agreement of 12/11/1853
Between Rev Hompesch Massingberd
Richard Hodgson
John Cairns

Also mentioned is an agreement
Between Ann Stephenson
Joseph Stephenson
William Barnard
Rev H Massingberd
John Cairns

(Land no 55 on Enclosure Map 2a 3r 13p)
All that Close of Meadow or Pasture, South Field Close, 2a 3r 25p.
South Field Lane to east, Turnpike Road to Gainsborough west, Mr Watson to the north, land of Eadales Trustees, south.

Signed by Cliffe and Hodgson.

IMAGE16A/25 Deeds of Land at Beckingham, South Field Close Enclosure No 55

IMAGE16A/26

IMAGE16A/27

Deeds of Homestead and two closes at Beckingham

Mr T Pickering’s Land in 1994

Enclosure numbers 58 Homestead 4a 1r 31p
54 South Field Close 3a 2r 18p
55 South Field Close 3 acres or thereabouts

IMAGE16A/28 Indenture

IMAGE16A/29 Indenture

IMAGE16A/30 Indenture

IMAGE16A/31 Indenture

Deeds of 1 Homestead, 2 A South Field Close, 3 A South Field Close at Beckingham
Enclosure numbers 58, 54 and 55 respectively.

IMAGE16A/32 Abstract of the Title Mr William Henry Rose

IMAGE16A/33 Abstract of the Title Mr William Henry Rose

IMAGE16A/34 Deeds of South Field Close, Beckingham Enclosure No 55

IMAGE16A/35 Deeds of South Field Close, Beckingham Enclosure No 55

IMAGE16A/36 Deeds of South Field Close, Beckingham Enclosure No 55

IMAGE16A/37 Deeds of South Field Close, Beckingham Enclosure No 55

IMAGE16A/38 Deeds of South Field Close, Beckingham Enclosure NO 55

IMAGE16A/39 Deeds of South Field Close, Beckingham Enclosure No 55

IMAGE16A/40 Deeds of South Field Close, Beckingham Enclosure No 55

IMAGE16A/41 Deeds of South Field Close, Beckingham Enclosure No 55

IMAGE16A/42 All Saints Parish Church, Beckingham 20/08/1997

IMAGE16A/43 All Saints Parish Church, Beckingham 20/08/1997

IMAGE16A/44 Drewery and Wheeldon Station Road, Beckingham

IMAGE16A/45 Developed 03/1993 Neg 7. Mr T Pickering’s Croft House Farm buildings. North East corner of crewyard showing cattle sheds with granary over and barn. This part of the yard was once covered. The barn was probably not built for threshing.

IMAGE16A/46 Developed 03/1993 Neg 9 Mr T Pickering’s farm buildings that once belonged to Croft House Farm. Croft House, seen in the background, is not now a farmhouse. Some of the buildings on the south side.

IMAGE16A/47 Planning Applications 25/02/1994

IMAGE16A/48 Developed 03/1993 Neg 4. Mr Tim Pickering’s Croft House farm buildings off Low Street, Beckingham. Barn and granary viewed from north east. The barn does not have the usual ventilator holes.

IMAGE16A/49 Developed 02/1994 Neg 23. Mr T Pickering’s Croft House farm buildings off Low Street, Beckingham. Interior of the barn viewed form east doorway when partially demolished.

IMAGE16A/50 Developed 09/1996 Neg 18A. North wing of Croft House farm buildings adapted for museum by Mr T Pickering. 18/09/1996

IMAGE16A/51 Developed 09/1996 Neg 19A. Massey Harris binder to Mr T Pickering’s Museum in adapted Croft House farm buildings. 18/09/1996

IMAGE16A/52 Neg 20 South wing of converted farm buildings off Station Road. Formerly belonging to Croft House Farm, now Mr Pickering’s 06/1994.

IMAGE16A/53 Neg 18 Foundations of Mr Pickering’s Bungalow, Low Street, Beckingham 06/1994.

IMAGE16A/54 Neg 3 Mr Pickering’s Bungalow 07/1994.

IMAGE16A/55 Start of construction of walls.

IMAGE16A/56 Neg 23 Mr Pickering’s bungalow 18/08/1994. Croft House in the background.

IMAGE16A/57 Neg 2A Bungalow nearly completed 12/1994.

IMAGE16A/58 Developed 09/1996 Neg 10A Mr and Mrs Pickering’s Round House, Low Street, formerly Station Road, Beckingham 18/09/1996.

IMAGE16A/59 Developed 09/1996 Neg 21A Round House viewed from West 18/09/1996.

CROFT HOUSE FARMSTEAD

When owned by the Meynell family this was the mansion house of Beckingham Estate, but in c1822 it had been purchased by Mrs Wailey along with 5 acres of land in which it stood, and South Field Close of 5a 0r 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 time later owner must have purchased farm land and built the extensive range of farm buildings. These buildings from a rectangle around a yard with access from the south east corner which is rather strange as the land associated with the farmstead 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 have originally been of the traditional type on the east side. There is an opposing door on the west side but this is 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 of 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 barn, but kept the traditional threshing barn style.

IMAGE16A/60 Threshing Barn diagram

The bricks are 3″ thick. 10 courses of brickwork is 2′ 9 1/4″
The barn is 60 courses high. The height to the eaves is approximately 16 1/2 feet. English garden bond. The buildings now belong to Mr H T Pickering’s Dairy Farm. PJM 15/03/1993

The buildings were photographed and measured by The Retford Historical and Archaeological Society in 02/1994.

IMAGE16A/61 Developed 09/1996 Neg 16A Developed 09/1996 Neg 16A Mr T Pickering’s Round House, Low Street, previously Station Road. Looking up to the roof of the rotunda. 18/09/1996

IMAGE16A/62 Developed 09/1996 Neg 17A Circular central hall of Mr T Pickering’s Round House, Beckingham 18/09/1996.

IMAGE16A/63 Beckingham and Saundby Coronation Funds

IMAGE16A/64 Beckingham and Saundby Coronation Funds

IMAGE16A/65 Beckingham Ladies Hockey 1949-1950

Back Row left to right

Pam Large, Molly Lockwood, Joan Meredith, Barbara Ellis, Pauline Hoyle, Betty Pilkington

Front Row Left to right

Pam Levick, Angela Heppenstall, Mary Maden, Pam Smith, Margaret Broxholme

IMAGE16A/66 Beckingham Ladies Hockey

Back row Left to right

Betty Pilkington, ?, Molly Lockwood, Margaret Trafford, Angela Heppenstall, Joan Meredith

Front row Left to right

Pam Levick, Barbara Ellis, Pauline Hoyle, Mary Maden, Margaret Broxholme

IMAGE16A/67 Copied 11/1986. Opening Day of Beckingham Village Hall in 1948. Miss Nora Watson speaking.

IMAGE16A/68 Copied 03/1997 from Mrs Freda Proudley’s photograph Neg 18. The opening of the Village Hall and Playing Field 1948.

IMAGE16A/69 Women’s Institute at the Village Hall Christmas Circa 1948.

Left to right

Mesdames Herbert Gill, Maud Adams, Beardsworth, Whitlam, Smithson, Williamson, Mitchell, Mr A Smithson, Mrs Alice Proudley, Mrs Frank Levick, Miss Mabel Gosling, Mrs Irene Jervis and Mrs Esme Ranby.

IMAGE16A/70 Beckingham Women’s Institute 1949

IMAGE16A/71 Beckingham Church Sunday School (1949/1951)

IMAGE16A/72 Beckingham Women’s Institute 1949
Supplied by Alan Gosling. Supplement to master photograph. Key to Sunday School photograph is in Church File.

THE HISTORY OF BECKINGHAM VILLAGE HALL AND PLAYING FIELD

This begins in 1944 when the Football Club was being formed. The only other club at this time was the Cricket Club. The two other clubs thought that it was time that the village had a proper sports ground and not have to ask local farmers for the use of a field.

A village meeting was called to rally support and this was well attended. From the meeting the Watson Family donated a ten acre field which is now the playing field and many people promised to help raise funds for equipment.

The Wallhead brothers made a detailed plan of the layout for tennis courts, a bowling green, a play park for children, football, cricket and hockey pitches.

During the next three years things on the field began to take shape under a working committee headed by Miss Nora Watson. Equipment was installed and paid for with money raised from various events. During 1947 the working committee decided that a Village Hall was needed to complete the project. Miss Watson visited County Hall, Nottingham to see the council people who dealt with village halls. Her visit was successful.

The Rural Council allocated a village hall to Beckingham and this was delivered in 09/1949. The hall was erected, water, electric and sewerage were connected up by 06 1948.

The official opening of the Hall and Playing Field was set for the first week of 09/1948. Mr Howden, the Managing Director of Newell’s Engineering was asked to perform the ceremony.

The formation of the tennis, bowls and hockey clubs now took place. The first committee of Management was elected comprising representatives from 16 village clubs and organisations and 8 Trustees under the Chairmanship of Mr Lesley Selbey and was registered as a Charity.

A caretaker/groundsman was employed at a weekly wage of 30 shillings per week all the rest of the people were volunteers.

During the next few years the dressing rooms were added, paid for by the Football and Cricket Clubs. During 1978 the hall was extended towards the tennis courts and in 1980 the Hall was further extended towards the bowling green, the kitchen was also extended and the car park enlarged.

All the work done on the playing field is voluntary the Clubs being self supporting and paying rents for the Courts, Greens and Pitches.

IMAGE16A/73 Beckingham cum Saundby Parish Council Newsletter

IMAGE16A/74 Beckingham cum Saundby Parish Council Newsletter

IMAGE16A/75 Beckingham and Saundby Community Information

IMAGE16A/76 Beckingham and Saundby Community Information

IMAGE16A/77 Beckingham and Saundby Community Information

IMAGE16A/78 Beckingham and Saundby Community Information

IMAGE16A/79 Beckingham cum Saundby Village Hall Newsletter

IMAGE16A/80 Beckingham cum Saundby Village Hall Newsletter

IMAGE16A/81 North Nottinghamshire Villages want a Community Centre. Retford Times 09/02/1945 From Mrs Edlington

IMAGE16A/82 The Gainsborough News 1948 Beckingham Playing Field From Mrs Edlington

IMAGE16A/83 Retford Times 1948 From Mrs Edlington

IMAGE16A/84 Gainsborough News 23/07/1948 From Mrs Edlington
IMAGE16A/85 Gainsborough News 09/09/194?

IMAGE16A/86 Evening News 25/09/1973 P 8

IMAGE16A/87 Drewery and Wheeldon Green Cottage, Station Road, Beckingham

IMAGE16A/88 Beckingham By-pass Newspaper article

IMAGE16A/89 Beckingham Newspaper article

IMAGE16A/90 Evening News 25/09/1973 Beckingham By-pass