Here’s something you don’t often see. A job description for the construction of two local houses in 1892, by local builder Enoch Pagett. I wonder if a volunteer from the audience would like to transcribe these?
Located by reader, writer and local history dynamo David Evans, the owners have kindly allowed them to be shared here. To Mr. & Mrs. Lynk I offer my immense gratitude. These are remarkable documents and I’m very proud and appreciative of the chance to share them here. It’s great to have such generous readers.
David said:
Hi Bob
Please find attached a document which may be of great local interest. It is a job specification for building two houses in Lindon Road, Brownhills. I believe the houses may still exist.
The original document is very fragile and is handwritten on pale blue paper, and is dated 1892.
I am extremely grateful to Mr and Mrs Bryan Lynk for letting me offer this . A recent blog article showed an interesting war-time pencil case, complete with a nib. This document, with its contemporary spelling and handwriting, gives a fascinating glimpse into Walsall Wood in the late Victorian times.
Sadly the Wheel Inn is now boarded. I is interesting to note that the builder was a miner, and that his family name will be well-known to many local people here and in Brownhills West and Norton Canes.
With my kind regards and appreciation of all your ongoing endeavours in your blog site.
David
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Hi David.
“Built by the sweat of a miners brow” Where can you see this?
A question from your quiz No.2. The answer is on a house in Linden Road, in the proximity of the “Wheel Inn”
This most interesting old document refers to a property in Linden Road, near the Wheel, built by a miner at about the same time as the first-mentioned house would be built.
Can we put two-and two together, do you think?
Kind regards.
HI David
fraid not!…..the original plaque, now covered, read..”by the sweat of a miner’s brow.”.the replacement has added the “built” to it..Nelson could have helped…!
regards
David
Unless I’m mistaken – and it’s not my patch, rather that of [Howmuch?] – isn’t that house in Pauls Coppice (formerly New Road)?
You’ve foiled me actually. One of my questions to win a book in the next competition was going to be a picture of that plaque and to ask where it could be found. Need to get my thinking cap on again.
Best wishes
Bob
Yes you are right Bob, it was New Road, now Pauls Coppice.
HI David
the pair of houses are shown on the 1902 map on the article, “farming yesterday”..Lindon Road was called Catshill Road then..by the letter D you will see the pair of houses..close to present-day Anchor Garage, I am told. The pair had another dwelling butted on to the side within a few years of them being built. Paul’s Coppice was originally New Street and was renamed to avoid confusion with New Road off the High Street Brownhills, so the story goes.
cheers, and many thanks for your comments, David
Hi All,
I am the daughter of a couple who used to own by the sweat of a miners brow in Pauls Coppice. My dad split the land and also built a new house 38A Pauls Coppice. Nice to hear the old stories
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