Brownshill Green

I am currently writing the history of Brownshill Green and very short of photos especially the old Beech Tree Terrace in Long Lane. Can anyone help please?

Hi Captain, welcome to the forum It's a tough request, I hope someone can help.

Captain, my ancestors in 19th century farmed in Brownshill Green at Hawkes End Farm, later owned and farmed by the Docker family. I met Ada Docker when my grandma took me to the farm to buy eggs c.1950-3. I would be most interested in your project and can give you some details here as you have no contact in the Forum. Harriet Beacham, formerly Whitehead (née Gilks) married my ancestor Joseph Whitehead, Berkswell Church 1850. Lived with her daughter Sarah Beacham at 63 Waveley Road, Coventry, 1901 Census. After Joseph Whitehead Jnr's death 1859 (buried St Thomas, Keresley) she married the farm servant, William Henry Beacham, 22 Apr 1861 at Allesley Parish Church. Daughter Emma (of Joseph Whitehead) born Sept 1859. Emma married Alfred Beacham wdr, 7 Jan 1885 at Allesley Parish Church. Beacham buried 10 May 1899 aged 61, All Saints, Allesley. Harriet died at home of daughter Annie Wood, 19 Stanley Road, Earlsdon. 1911, Sarah now a companion help, Park Cottage, Fillongley. Did the Beachams live at Hawkes End Farm, Hawkes Mill Lane, Allesley, later occupied by the Docker family? (Ada Docker - 1950s) Yes, see letter from Harriet to London solicitors Thynne & Thynne dated 24 May 1899 from Hawkes End Farm, Allesley.

Captain, the only photo I have is of my father W H Whitehead and his twin sister, Ivy aged about eight, with their mother Lizzie (leaning on gate), her sister Emily Atkins, and Mrs Barton (r) outside the Barton cottage in Hollyberry End, c.1915.

Hello Prof. Many thanks for your response. During my work so far I have found in the 1851 census that William Beacham was a shopkeeper and Thomas Beacham a beerhouse keeper; both in Brownshill Green. In the 1874 Directory William Beacham is listed as a Carter but no mention of Thomas. This is as far as I have gone because Coventry History Centre, the major source of my research, has been closed due to Covid 19. My earliest record of the Dockers is when James Docker of Berkswell was involved in a lease of local land in 1794; the family still farms in the Brownshill Green area. All the best, The Captain

Thanks very much, Captain. Wm Beacham, carter, is my ancestor's step-father. Christian names William Henry went down from him through my grandad and dad and Henry to my older brother. My great-grandad William was a drayman by the time they had moved into Hillfields. Wishing you more photos of Long Lane and other parts of Brownshill Green.

Some years ago I gave to the Coundon Wedge Society a large collection of black and white photos taken around this area in the 20s and 30s. Whether the society still exists I do not know but someone must have them.

Hello matchle55. I contacted the Coundon Wedge Society and they allowed me to search through their collection but, would you believe, not one photo of Brownshill Green.

Hello again Captain. I wonder did you do any more research or have any more leads of the Beacham/Whitehead families in Brownshill Green re my #3 post on this topic to which you kindly replied in this HCF mode? I would be very pleased to hear if you have done. Many thanks.

Hello Prof. Because of the lockdown I haven't been able to talk to the people who may help. However, I'll keep you posted - hopefully soon. The Captain

Many thanks Captain.