Topic ID 4159
I had a manhole cover that was removed when we had an extension built some years ago. The house is 150 years or more years old (We are in lower Bengeo) I can’t be sure but I believe it was the original from when the house was built. It had the name R Green, Builder, Bengeo. Cast into it. Does any one have any Knowledge of him or his family?
Reply ID 60417
I don't know anything about them but fronm the censuses there was a Robert Green in Villers Street in 1861 a carpenter by 1871 he is in Trinity Grove in 1881 he is still in Trinity Grove and listed as a builder employing 9 men and 2 boys and by 1891 he is in Bengeo Street and listed as a builder so I think it must be him in 1901 his widow is at 110 Bengeo Street , he and his wife came from Suffolk but all the children seem to be born in Hertford,they seem to have had 9 children but no idea if any descendants are still in the area but if you e mail me we can see if anything more can be found, depends how interested you are. Also from the censuses I could tell you when your house was first listed and who lived there again if you want to know e mail me. Hope that helps
Reply ID 60616
Thanks for the Information Marilyn. I was curious as the cover had an individual builders name cast into it as opposed to the mass produced covers of today with only the manufactures name. I wonder if he was responsible for building the whole street (Terrace houses). If so I would imagine he must have been a builder of some note at the time. Would there be any way of finding out what other if any buildings he was responsible for?
Reply ID 60663
quote:I am not sure about that your best bet is Hertfordshire Archive (HALS) they would be able to point you in the direction of where to look, they are at the Regester office in County Hall
Originally posted by Eyeone
Thanks for the Information Marilyn. I was curious as the cover had an individual builders name cast into it as opposed to the mass produced covers of today with only the manufactures name. I wonder if he was responsible for building the whole street (Terrace houses). If so I would imagine he must have been a builder of some note at the time. Would there be any way of finding out what other if any buildings he was responsible for?
Reply ID 60759
He built our House! We're in Bengeo Street. He came from Norfolk and settled in Hertford C1850's. To build our house he sublet the land and rental income for a period of 25 years to two spinsters (can't remember who they were possibly Fanshaws or occupants of Revels) Anyway, just before the lease was up Robert died (1900 ish)and his daughters inherited the row of cottages built by him. The daughter who inherited our house let the tenants stay in situ. Once they died she took over the tenancy until her death sometime in the late 20's I can recommend going to the following website and typing your address in the search box. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/advanced-search.aspx?tab=1 It should tell you the details of any holding that Hertford Archives have re your house. If you go to the archives to look at the details, if you a re so inclined, you can go into the other search room and look at the Kellys directories which may give you other occupants of the house. If you happen to find Robert left your house to another family member, let me know, I am in contact with his son Robert's great grandson.
Reply ID 60760
i stand corrected, it was Suffolk he came from, I think I found one of his relatives living in the same village as one of mine. Eyeone, do you have a coal hole cover out the fronnt cast in Shoreditch? I have a feeling that my ancestors possibly cast that as well!
Reply ID 60780
No we don’t have a Coal hole cover.A neighbour has but I have not looked closely at it.(I will now!) Is your house a semi or terrace? Do you know what year your house was built? Also did your ancestors cast the covers for Mr Green? I will definitely do some more research on our property. Amazing what a trail of information can be gleaned (or unCOVERED!) from a man hole cover.
Reply ID 60784
No unfortunately I have no proof that my ancestors cast the covers for Robert Green only that all the men worked as Iron founders in Shoreditch. Our house was actually built C1879 and is end of terrace. Apart from a few gaps that I can't confirm, I think I've traced all the occupants of our house. A few years ago we decorated our lounge and under the lightswitch I found some wallpaper that Alice Green had probably had put up and a couple of months ago while decorating our kitchen I found the original size markings written on the door jamb. Simple things........................ While you're at the archives take a look at their collection of photos. They have hundreds of them detailing practically every street in Hertford.
Reply ID 60785
As Marilyn will confirm, if you think this is fascinating just wait till you start your family tree!
Reply ID 60796
quote:Who me [:D] Not that I am addicted or anything................[;)]
Originally posted by Anorak
As Marilyn will confirm, if you think this is fascinating just wait till you start your family tree!
Reply ID 60812
My Brother has been working on our family tree. His interest was sparked by a letter to my uncle from a then uknown relative who lives in France and had been searching for the uk side of the family. He had traced one member back to the 1700s. He was listed as a pauper. Nothing changes!!