The boys on the corner

Here’s a great one that reaches me from Australia, and it’s really, really interesting – I’m hoping some of the genealogy focused regulars might be able to contribute to.

Susan Austin has sent me images of the front and rear of a postcard she’s found, and it’s rather wonderful. If I have this right, this is the Wesleyan Chapel on the right (further up than the more widely know Mount Zion), and we’re looking towards Anchor Bridge. Pier Street would be off to the right just where the group are standing. I believe the Chapel stood on what is now waste ground on the corner here:

I’ll let Susan explain:

Hi Bob

I am going through old family letters, post cards and photos. My great grandmother, Maryann Leake (nee Bampton) who was born in Lilleshall on 26 AUgust 1826 arrived in Australia in November 1887.

Upon arrival she married her ‘sweetheart’ David Leake (born in Staffordshire on 25 December 1824). Amongst the old family papers there was the post card attached, sent to David and Maryann Leake from family in the Walsall area. I thought this photo of High Street in Brownhills might be of interest to you.

The photo would have been taken after 1887 because the correspondent referrs to the Wesley Chapel having been built since my ancestors left the area. Has it changed much in modern times?

Regards from DownUnder

Susan Austin
Moss Vale
NSW Australia

Brownhills has changed massively, some for the better, some for the worst. But hey, you can’t stop progress…

Thanks Susan for a lovely, fascinating contribution – it’s stuff like this that really makes the Brownhills Blog what it is. Best wishes to you from Brownhills all the way to sunny Moss Vale in New South Wales.