| Brookmans Park Newsletter www.brookmans.com |
Have
Your Say Current 'Have Your Say' contributions 'Have Your Say' Form Front Page My Great Grandmother Jane Elizabeth Hipgrave, died July 22, 1920, while living at 1920 or 192 Bullens Green, Roestock, North Mimms,difficult to make out last number. Could anyone tell me if the house is still standing? The informant was a her daughter, G.J.Gilmore, Pix Farm Cottages, Bourne End, Boxmoor. Would anyone also know of descendents of Gertrude Gilmore. Richard Gillians < Kitchener, Ontario, Canada - 21:40:24 Sunday 13 January 2002 Anyone out there know what happened to Brian Towndrows class of 75-77? I think there were about 33 of us. All the best. Richard White < Melbourne, Victoria, Ozland - 12:17:00 Thursday 10 January 2002 Note from the editor: Have you tried visiting the www.friendsreunited.co.uk site. It might help. Hello, The Gobion family are my ancestors. I was wondering what became of the family? Are there any members left in the area? Thank you so much for any information. Sincerely Martha Matthews Martha Matthews < Yakima, washington, USA - 03:22:21 Thursday 10 January 2002 Note from the Editor: Martha there are many references to Gobions on this site including a chapter which explains how the name developed. I am sure you have already used the search facility on the front page. There aren't any people with the surname Gobion in the telephone directory in the area but there are people named Gubbins. Your note has been forwarded to the North Mymms Local History Society. Hi, Can anyone help? WHERE HAVE ALL THE BEDWELL'S GONE? The ROYAL VICTORIA PATRIOTIC SCHOOL closed down in 1972. I was one of the last girls to leave. I was 13 yrs. old. Next year marks 30 years and a reunion of all those Bedwell's should take place. It makes me giggle at the very thought! My main problem is that no records exist of 'forwarding addresses' for any of us. We scattered once the school closed. If any of you have any ideas please e-mail me. gail filsell < pontefract, yorkshire, england - 22:39:59 Sunday 18 November 2001 Note from the editor: Try visiting the www.friendsreunited.co.uk site where you will find the Royal Victoria Patriotic School if you enter that title in the school search field. You will find 14 people have already signed up including several for the period you attended the school. Have found this website and thinks its brilliant. As a local girl borne and brought up in North Mymms maiden name Whyte grandparents Maynard, old village name, my mother still lives at 79 Dellsome Lane. I have been looking for information with regard to Bell Bar where my grandmother Elsie Maynard was borne, and the Swan at Bell Bar which I believe they owned as a Coach House, and could possibly have lived in Kentish Lane. My Nan was married to Sydney Maynard who used to work for the local council and also looked after the playing fields and bowling green. It is obviously the previous history, which I am trying to find out. My grandmother's maiden name was Chapman whom I believe attended school in Kentish Lane. Look forward to hearing from you Jan Sheppard Jan Sheppard < Hatfield, No county/state, Hertfordshire - 15:14:31 Thursday 15 November 2001 Have recently received a four page Will for Thomas Tollinton of Bell Bar (?) in the parish of North Mimms ...proved 19th October 1769. He died possessed of One Hundred Pounds! His wife Ann Tollinton, Sarah Bracksopp (wife of John), Mary Mills (wife of James) and Susanna Jones, spinster were Executrixes. Can anyone help me in finding further information please ? The Probate dated at Doctors Commons 19th October 1769. So many questions (once I've been able to fully read the Will .... but are there any records I can search whilst living here in Western Australia. Your site looks terrific, but I am so anxious to get this request off that I haven't fully looked at the site. Suffice to say that during the war years I lived at Welwyn Garden City, my parents spent some time at North Mimms (where my mother died), and currently my only sister is living in W.G.C. having spent many years in Hatfield. So I know the area fairly well. Last visited four years ago. Les & Lorraine Shephard < Mandurah, Western Australia 6210, Australia - 14:29:42 Thursday 02 August 2001 If there is anybody who is looking to possibly make contact with old school friends
there is a great site www.friendsreunited.co.uk where you register stating what school you
attended. Once registered you can look for your school and review the list of others who
have registered from that school. The site will also mail you when new members join. Read your article on straw plaiting in Hertfordshire with considerable interest. My
family includes members who were occupied in this profession, in the past, and as we are
tracing our family tree this has become of importance to us. Were any records kept as to
the names of those employed, particularly in the Berkhamsted area? It would be very nice
to know something about my ancesters and their nature of work. Any information will be
useful. With thanks, Linda Howard nee Hosier. The article on Roestock regarding Richard Gillans has crossed with e-mail contact I
have made with him. It is amazing how this website has generated so much interest from
literally all over the world. If anyone is interested in receiving the St Mary's Church,
North Mymms Parish Magazine, I will happily arrange to send to you. Cost is only 30p, so
postage is likely to be the greatest cost. Just e-mail me with your details and i will
work out costs etc. Could someone give me the address of Michael Fernando, Parish Magazine Editor of North
Mymms Parish Church. I would like to arrange to receive the magazine. My family of
Gillians lived at 63, 66 and 70 Rostock road according to the 1861, 71 and 81 censuses.
Would the houses they lived in still be standing or have they been torn down? Thanks,
Richard Gillians I was delighted to stumble across your web site while searching the web for information
on my ancestors, the Knolles and Frowick families. The photographs of the church and
landscapes have given me some idea of what it was like at the time they lived there in the
15th and 16th centuries. I would love to see photos of the interior of the church
especially any Knolles or Frowick family memorials. Did you know that Sir Thomas Knolles,
Mayor of London was son of the famous knight Sir Robert Knolles (also spelt Knowles or
Knollys) mentioned in Froissart's Chronicles and captain in the wars against France, Spain
and Brittany under three kings Edward III, Richard II and Henry IV, and was buried with
full military honours in Whitefriars, London in 1407? He was also ancestor of Sir Francis
Knollys cousin to Queen Elizabeth I and ancestor of the current Viscount Knollys. Please could you tell me of any history about welham Green as my surname is welham i am
interested.Thanks Has anyone any genealogy information about the Longstaff's of North Mymms. My
grandfather Herbert Longstaff was born at PancakeHall, Welham Green about 1880, and I am
trying to trace my line back from there. Any information regarding any Longstaff's in the
area(past and present) would be much appreciated. I just loved reading this site - it is truly excellent. My problem is that I cannot
find anything evenly remotely similar for South Mimms. My early SLOGROVE ancestors lived
in South Mimms - if anyone reading this knows how to access the Parish Records there for
the years 1600-1700 please contact me at . Greetings from Vancouver
Island.Vickie My dad was wondering if anyone knew the origins of the name South or North Mymms. All
we could find was in the Domesday Book which just states 'Mimmine'. Can anyone help? I am researching the life and death of a 19th century resident of North Mymms
Parish.With a view to learning more about my subject, I have spent a happy couple of hours
browsing these pages - and not in vain. I have found reference to my subject's family and
indeed, passing reference to the subject himself while a scholar at the Boys' School.
Yours is a most impressive web-site. And having found more material, I am smiling from ear
to ear. Re Folly Arch, My Grandfather lists his address as The Folley Shenley. Would Anyone
know what the name meant? Thanks What a nice site - just love the pictures of North Mimms, brings back happy memories of
when as a teenager living in London, would come out and ramble through the beautiful
countryside around Mimms. I found your site while I was searching for ancestors from
Hertfordshire (Tewin area) I was actually born in Welwyn Garden City, my mother having
been evacuated during the war to live with her sister in Hatfield. Keep up the good work,
I bookmarked the page to remind myself of England's countryside. Mr Woods might find Peter Kingsford's words offensive. I find Mr Woods' treatment of Mr
Kingsford offensive. I, too, was born and brought up in Brookmans Park and attended the
school. Mr Woods is the one who should check his facts - Peter Kingsford would not have
attended the school - it wasn't built when he was at school. John Kingsford, his son, was
in the same class as I was in the 1950s. Mr Harris was a good man and as Mr Woods so
rightly says did much good for the whole community. I would put forward that I also think
that Peter Kingsford has done a lot for the community, by his very informative writings. As someone who was born and brought up in Brookmans Park, I attended the local primary
school in the 1960s. Reading Peter Kingsford's account of the village in the 1950s, I have
to say that I found his reference to Mr A.W.Harris as someone 'who believed
in the cane for small children' offensive. It is true that he caned children who, by
the standards of the day, deserved it, but my lasting impression of him is of a kind and
compassionate man who believed that manners and good behaviour could get one far. I am
sure that there are others who attended the school and feel the same way; it is a pity
that Mr Kingsford, who one must assume did not attend, could not check his facts before
publicly denigrating someone who did much for the whole community in his lifetime and is
sadly missed by many. I lived in Brookmans Park from 1975 to 1986 when my parents moved us to East Sussex for
my Dads job. I have very vivid memories of being at Brookmans Park school and of my past
friends from there. My Mum has kept in contact with some friends from the village , so it
was particularly upsetting to hear recently of the tragic death of a former classmate,
Catherine Sturdy. I would just like to pass on my condolences to her family and her
friends. I was born in Essendon -Australia in 1930 and have fond WW2 memories of my father who
was assistant Town Clerk organising food parcels for those citizens of Essendon in the UK.
I have visited Essendon on a couple of occasions when in England. What a delightful place
!! Sightings of Mountain Lion have also been recorded here in Victoria and are believed to
be offspring of cubs brought here in WW2 by USAAF crews and released when they moved North
to fight the Japanese. I was born in Essendon -Australia in 1930 and have fond WW2 memories of my father who
was assistant Town Clerk organising food parcels for those citizens of Essendon in the UK.
I have visited Essendon on a couple of occasions when in England. What a delightful place
!! Sightings of Mountain Lion have also been recorded here in Victoria and are believed to
be offspring of cubs brought here in WW2 by USAAF crews and released when they moved North
to fight the Japanese. Great site !! I moved to the U.S some 10 years ago and have sadly lost touch with a lot of old
friends. Does anyone know of organized Chancellors Reunions. I graduated in 81. Any
information would be appreciated. Some points of interest, I hope, although belated. I have a map of about 1803
indicating (in manuscript) that the population of B Pk in 1801 was 838 and the rates in
1803 (at 2 pence or 2 shillings in the pound) was £565.16.0.It is then spelt 'North
Mims'. Sadly Bill Papworth died on 7.2.00,aged 88. Church Cottage is just next to St
Mary's Church, North Mymms. Does anybody know who owns North Mymms House, and what year were the wrought iron
gates, by the octagonal gate house made and who made them. Looking for my cousins christine and angela hare from buntingford. Thanks to Peter Hughes for advising his brother Brian I am attemting to locate him
after we left BP for Canada in 1957. Unfortunately I didn't receive the message he sent on
March 5th till today June 26 if either of you read this please reply to the above address. Firstly, well done on a great web site! I watched the video on the history
of North Mymms and was very impressed. My Grandmother Agnes Spencer came to live in North
Mymms in the early 1930's with my Grandfather George Frederick Spencer and their residence
was called 'The Bungalow' Huggins Lane, Welham Green. It is believed that my Grandfather
was killed whilst on Fire Watch duty during the Blitz, but my Grandmother continued to
live at the bungalow until her death in 1953. In the video, it is mentioned that some of
the cottages in Huggins Lane were demolished because they were considered to be a fire
risk. This bungalow was of a wooden slatted construction, could this be one of them? I
have written to Marion Benton from the history society about any old records that she may
have relating to Huggins Lane and/or my grandparents but she could not find anything.
Sorry to be so vague about my own Grandparents but I was not born until 1960 and my father
is now deceased and did not tell me anything about them. Any help/suggestions/leads would
be most appreciated as I am running out of ideas! Yours in an excellent and most informative site: congratulations and thanks! My
Grandfather, John Little (1875 - 1963), was farm bailiff for Mrs Burns at North Mymms Park
in the early 1900s (listed in Kelly's Directory of 1914) and my Mother, Helen Lambert
Little (1911 - 1994) was born at Grange Farm (or, possibly, Home Farm). Any information on
those days and/or those people would be greatly appreciated.
I have enjoyed 'cruising' through your wonderful site. It has a nice blend of
historical facts, photos, personal insights/remembrances, etc. Well done! I hope you might
be able to help me. My father, William KNIGHT, was born 5 January 1915 in Church Cottage,
North Mymms. Could you tell me if the cottage still exists -- I haven't had any luck
finding it? The cottage may be (or have been) on an estate. My grandmother, Emma Knight
(nee -- Cooper), returned in 1914 (from New York City) to have my father at her mother's
house. Many of the Coopers were working as servants at that time. I would appreciate your
ideas or suggestions about finding information on Church Cottage, etc.
Finding the Brookmans Park site was great. Even recognized some names from the distant
past, having graduated Chancellors in 1977 - memories are getting dimmer. Have lived in
the US since 1986. Have moved around living in San Francisco, LA and New York. Great job
on the site! Hello from Texas!!! I discovered your site yesterday and am very impressed with the amount of information
and history regarding the North Mymms community. In the process of researching my family
history I have read some information regarding North Mymms and South Mymms but did not
expect to find a site as fine as this. My 8th great grandfather Thomas Mims came to
Virginia from England in 1657. I am interested in corresponding with anyone researching
the Mims (Mimms, Mymms etc) family in the U.K. I hope to visit your lovely country and
community in the future. COAL POSTS ETC: a few comments if I may. Tax on coal imported in
to London started 400+ years ago, including in relation to then-concerns about the
pollution of light and air. Our interests here have included historical work in other
areas. For example in West Kent there is a classic combination of 'post, toll-point ...
and a back-lane called 'Sparepenny Lane' (much beloved of those carters who believed in
looking after the pennies so the pounds could look after themselves). Sadly we seem to
live in times when historic features etc are increasingly been plundered: eg to be sold on
as 'features' for people 'improving' their properties in different parts of Europe (with a
reverse-trade of artifacts coming in from Europe to various secondhand/ salvage/ etc
establishments around London ....). We have also seen the growth in 'garden-theft' too (of
seats, features, plants, etc). We seem to live in times when if certain people 'want
something', they all-too-often go out and look to 'take' it (including our fencing,
lengths of hedges, bits of our land, ...). A sad indictment of these 'enlightened' times. I love the atmosphere you have created with this forum. It gives
me a warm feeling about the area I am researching. My grandfather, William CHUCK,
born at St.Georges Union Workhouse in 1882, came to Canada mid 1890's with other orphaned
children to work on farms. He claimed that his mother , Eliza Mary CHUCK, died at
childbirth and he was raised by relatives. Father was unknown. I have since been able to
determine that Eliza was born at North Mymms in 1861. Parents were John Chuck and
Elizabeth. Other children of John and Elizabeth were Emily Elizabeth, William John,
George, Rebecca Kate and Herbert.(There could be more) I would be most interested in
corresponding with anyone who has information on this family. I lived with my parents at 13 Westland Drive from '39 to '67. Is
there anyone around who remembers the 'Sayers'? In those days BP was a wonderful
place. I grew up in complete happiness without fear or a care in the world. I can't
remember there being a robbery let alone a murder. Rape was thought to be something
medieval and 'predudice' was inconceivable. People were kind and well mannered; true
gentlemen and gentlewomen. I think civilization reached its zenith in BP during those
years. What's it like now ? I just found your very informative web site. I was
born in Barnet in 1944 and moved with family to Brookmans Park around 1954,and attended,by
bus, St Audreys School in Hatfield, my family emigrated to Canada in 1957. I was wondering
if anybody knew the whereabouts of Brookmans Park friends I lost touch with, Stuart
Thompson, Jean King (of Bell Bar), John Brettel, Brian Hughes, Keith Hawton,& Alan
Oldridge. My family and I lived in Brookmans Park up until June
1982, when we decided to emigrate to Australia. We now reside in and around Melbourne. I
am an ex Chancellors' School student and would be very interested to contact anyone in my
years there...being 1972-1977. Can anyone tell me if the old Chinese takeaway is still in
the village? My parents have been back to Brookmans Park a number of times over the years,
but I am yet to get there....maybe once all this millenium stuff is over. PS anyone have a
contact for Tim Hurst or Neil Peikall(?) Very appealing and interesting. I look forward to learning more on the topic. I would
like to ask if anyone could share some information with me about Jeremy Sambrooke and also
the Cocks family as I am interested in their history. thank you, Elizabeth I was raised in Potters Bar and until recently had no idea my family was also in
Potters Bar and South Mimms during the 1800s. I am looking for the death record of WILLIAM
DANIEL BROWN who was living at No. 1 Truro Villa, High Road, Potters Bar at the time of
the 1881 census, he died 20-3-1892. Listed with him is his wife Ann and children Arthur
15, Sidney 14, Alfred 12, Helen 11, Grace 8. Any information on this family would be
greatly appreciated. Thank you. In connection with research concerning the composer Samuel Wesley
(1766-1837) I am interested to identify a man surnamed Casamajor who in 1794 appears to
have lived near Wesley and his wife in Ridge, Herts. Casamajor apparently was a rich
gentleman who worked in a 'counting house' in St Mary Axe in the City of London.
Via the World Wide Web I noticed that Caroline Casamajor endowed North Mymms School in
1847. I suspect that she is of the same Hertfordshire family, possibly the daughter. Any
assistance you may be able to provide in identifying Mr Casamajor of Herts in 1794 will be
much appreciated. With reference to your request concerning the Casamajors, we have found a lot of information for you which are now added to the site click here. John Harris, North Mymms Local History Society. I found it very interesting. My grandmother, according to the 1881
census was born in North Mimms about 1878/9 although I haven't been able to find a record
for her in the index at the Family Records Office. Her name was Mary Holloway. Her father,
Leonard Holloway was a gardener/carpenter/joiner and was working in the Norwood area,
reputedly at the Crystal Palace by 1881. Both he and his wife, Ann Ingram came from
Shrewton and Orcheston in Wiltshire. I wonder if there was a link between them and the
Holloways mentioned in the name index for your area. Are there any records that might give
me a clue as to their location around North Mimms? I intend to check the Parish Records
when I can get time to visit Hertford. We are unable to help you as regards Mary Holloway, but from our records we do have details on two other Holloways:- Annie Holloway lived in Pooleys Lane about 1867 when, due to the Public Health Act, a survey was made of sanitation and it was reported that she "has a privy but no cess pool". The only other mention is of a James Holloway who, in the 1851 census, was a farmer owning 36 acres from Mr Gaussen at Friday Grove. We do have a photo of Mr and Mrs Holloway outside their property in Holloways Lane, but unfortunately this is undated. This is part of an article given to us by Tom Nott, born 1890 and now deceased. Mr Nott's father also moved from North Mymms down to Surrey to work as a gardener. It may be there was some communication between Sylvia Smith's gr. grandfather, Leonard Holloway, and Mr Nott's father to encourage the move. John Harris, North Mymms Local History Society. My ANDREWS family is from town of Hertford, HERTS. England if
anyone knows anything about or may have any connection to this family please email me. My
web site is: http://members.aol.com/gandr22/hertford.htm Unfortunately we do not know of an historical society in Hertford and can only suggest that you write to the Hertford Museum at 18 Bull Plain, Hertford, Herts, UK, who may be able to help you. Obviously they will be interested as to when your family moved from Hertford. For your general background information there are more than a dozen Andrews in the telephone directory. John Harris, North Mymms Local History Society. (Hertfordshire now has on e-mail research facility for people wanting to look up their family history click here for more details) Hello -- First of all, just wanted to say thank-you for providing
this forum. We are hoping someone might have information about an E. Odell
Foster or his descendents. We are just beginning the search, and at present only know that
E. Odell Foster was listed in the 1944 phone directory at 5 The Close, Brookmans Park. We
have contacted the electoral registration department and have found out the Foster family
is no longer at that address. Does anyone have suggestions about what to do next?
Thank you for any help you can give. Although "5 The Close, Brookmans Park" still exists we are unable to trace any local inhabitants who knew this area in 1944. We cannot find any O'Dell Fosters in our local telephone directory and there are, of course, myriads of Fosters. John Harris, North Mymms Local History Society. Does anyone have any information about a RAF detachment stationed
at Woodside during WW2? There is a mention of such a unit in 'Hatfield at War', but with
no information as to the purpose they served. We have had two possible suggestions given us:- 1 - It was a rehabilitation centre for RAF officers and sergeants and ladies from the village were occasionally invited up to dances there. 2 - There is a suggestion that it was the HQ of a special squadron operating Lysanders from secret aerodromes for ferrying espionage agents to Europe. You may be able to obtain further information from the author of "Hatfield at War", Brian Lawrence, phone 01707-269662, or from Ron Kingdon, local photographer and historian on phone 01707-263721. John Harris, North Mymms Local History Society. G'day from Australia *smile* Susan's parents were Lucy Chuck and Tom Haycock, who was the foreman at Wild Hill, and then worked at Massells. Her uncle, James Chuck, had a daughter, Dolly, who married Bill Papworth, who ran the bakery business. Bill still lives in Dellsome Lane but unfortunately Dolly is now deceased. John Harris, North Mymms Local History Society. I have a surname index to the 1851 North Mimms census which
contains names, location, ages and will do lookups for Great site. I am searching for the Mofford or similar spelling of
that surname; quite possibly from Northumberland, Hi I just want to thank John Harris of the North Mymms Local
History Society for his info on Your thanks will be passsed on to John. Glad it was a help. its fab i'm wondering if anyone can help me i'm looking for an
ernest springall who had a Hi: My family worked in the 1800's for the Gausson family as
ag.labs. at Brookmans and in the North Mymms area. First known Gillians was John Gillion
who married Elizabeth Andrews Nov 3, 1788, Hatfield Parish Church. My Great grandmother
Jane Elizabeth (Gillians) Hipgrave died at Bullens Lane, Roe Stock, North Mymms July 22,
1920. Understand that a John Gillians was the servant and only person in the Manor house
when it burnt in the 1890's. The family is still a little careless with matches. In reply, John Harris of the North Mymms Local History Society offered the following information: Peter Kingsford book about the Modern History of Brookmans Park 1700-1950 (soon to be reproduced on this site) gives 1881 census details of the house as having 14 staff. Gillian is not mentioned however the staff listed may not have included all agricultural workers. The fire was in 1891 as the Gaussen family was cruising off the Dutch coast. The domestic servants had moved into the mansion while the family was away and there belongings also went up in the flames. There could be a connection with Elizabeth Andrews and I will add more to this alter. I am a member of Essendon Historical Society (in Australia) and am trying to solve the riddle as to who brought the name of Essendon, Herts, to Australia. I'd better say right now that I have checked the usual sources, and found them wanting for accuracy. I am now investigating some of our early settlers, and comparing names with those I have found on the St Mary's Essendon parish register. One of the names that struck me was one Isaac GREEN who married
Frances Stevens in St Mary's in 1803. An Isaac Green was in our district in 1849, when he
was a juror at an inquest. An entry in the Vic deaths index shows that an Isaac Green died
in 1867, aged 63, birthplace Hertfordshire. Although this fellow did not appear in the St
Mary's parish register, I thought he might be the eldest son of Isaac and Frances Green.
They appear to have had a handful of children baptised elsewhere, as their earliest child
was baptised in St Mary's in 1808. Can anyone help with any information about this Green
family - particularly whether anyone emigrated to Australia, and put the name of his
hometown on our map? Lenore Frost < In reply Paula Marshall of St Mary's Essendon, Herts offered the following information: There are several tombstones in Essendon churchyard belonging to the GREEN family which are said to be relatives of the Richard Green who settled in Australia. William Pomeroy Greene mentioned in the book, 'The Stop-Over That Stayed' has an additional 'E' on is surname. A photograph of St Thomas' Church, Essendon Australia is displayed in Essendon Church, England. A tenuous link still exists between the two Essendons. In 1972, Mr Colin Griffiths, former Mayor of Essendon, Australia, visited Esssendon, England and a party was held in his honour. In 1995 we were visited by Elaine Watson whose father was Mayor of Essendon, Australia when food parcels were dispatched to Essendon, England during World War Two. In gratitude for those parcels, the Englsih Essendon residents sent a book signed by many of them containing pictures of the church and village painted by a local artist. This book is still in existence as Elaine Watson brought prints of the original painting, copies of which were distributed amongst villagers here. Paula Marshall. October 22, 1998. I am looking for any information on EDWARD TURNER FAMILY born
Hadley abt. 1848 In reply, John Harris of the North Mymms Local History Society offered the following information: The only Turner family listed in the 1881 census
lived at 3, Victoria Cottages, Little Heath. Hadley comes under the area of Barnet and I suggest you contact Mrs Gillian Gear, Barnet and District Local History Society, Nicholls Farm, Lybury Lane, Redbourn, Herts, AL3 7JH. A great idea for historians to have a view of the area both past
and present. I just wish it was a little closer to the area that my ancestors hailed
from!! My GrGrGrGrandfather, John Turner was the Gamekeeper at Rye End farm in Kimpton
between the years of 1778 and 1801 when he died aged 79 years. I have been told that the
farm and cottages are still there. I would love some historical imput about Kimpton and
Rye End farm if there is anyone out there who has contacts with members of a genealogy or
historical society in the area. I know that the eldest son, also named John Turner as was
the custom remained in Kimpton and married a local girl, Elizabeth Sibley. he was a
wheelright. Any information will be gratefully received. In reply, John Harris of the North Mymms Local History Society offered the following information: I am told Rye End Farm is still on the official maps between Kimpton and Codicote and sugged you try Sharon Allen of the Codicote Local History Society, 11 Tower Road, Codicote, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 8XH. Family tree research : Looking for any BOSWELL/COATES/PEGRAM who
may have links with Great Hormead in Herts. Have got as far back as late 1700s. In reply, John Harris of the North Mymms Local History Society offered the following information: Suggest you contact Mr J. Blaxill of the Buntingford Railway and Local History Society at 43, High Wood Road, Hoddesdon, Herts. EN11 9AP. Great Site - I will be putting in a link from my site. I was wondering if this would be of use to anyone? I have a copy
of an old will dated 1840 for a WILLIAM BRYANT of Potters
Bar, Parish of South Mimms, county of Middlesex, witnesses were Thomas Drury and Thomas
Brown. This is a copy of the will and in old script, very hard to read, but will
give you what I can make of it. It says: "I William
Bryant of Potters Bar of the Parish of South Mimms in the County of Middlesex so ------ my
last will and testament as follows I desire to be buired in the grave of my dear wife at
Potters Bar Chapel and I desire that all my just debts funeral and ---------- expenses to
be bequeath to my friend----------." Sorry can't read the rest. It
does says Daniel Lynn was the sole executor witness and was singed in the presence of Wm
Bryant, witnesses Thomas Drury and Thomas Brown. It is dated 1840. There is an
address of no.13 Fox Court Grays ------. I wish I could find someone who reads old script,
this is a copy I have, my aunt has the original and I know she won't give it to
me. I was wondering where Potters Bar Chapel was? Was it the old church
next to Oakmere park? Hope this is of interest to someone. I think Thomas
'Brown was my ancestor. Regards, Christine, Oregon U.S.A. In reply, John Harris of the North Mymms Local History Society offered the following information: I have passed on a copy of this note to Mrs B Warren, of the Potters Bar Local History Society, 6 Church Close, Cuffley, Herts. I am having a terrible time locating a Brookman family in England.
My great grandmother, Elizabeth Brookman was christened in St. Marlylebone in Dec of 1818.
Her father was John, a miller and her mother Julia. Elizabeth married John Haynes
and came to the US in 1852. Their son, John Haynes was my great grandfather. Do you
know if there could be any connection to Brookmans Park and a Brookman family in that
area? |
