Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group

This is the third article relating to the Headmasters of Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School. Charles Barker (1817-1842) was Headmaster of the school for a period of 25 years, during which time he was elected as a member of the Corporation and became Warden in 1836 and 1837.  In addition, he was appointed a County Magistrate for Warwickshire. He wielded a great deal of influence and moved in the highest of circles, both in Sutton and the surrounding shires. Unfortunately, his fondness for the better things in life, including hunting and shooting, caused him to neglect his responsibilities towards the school.  The number of pupils under his care gradually declined until, it was said, by 1840 this had been reduced to just a single scholar! His death in 1842 caused quite a stir, as he was found by his friend Baron Webster lying by the side of the lane leading from Penns to Sutton.  It was later discovered that he had probably suffered a heart attack and had subsequently fallen from his horse.

This is Part 1 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. The first part includes the Census Returns from 1841-1911, together with observations based on the information contained therein.

This is Part 2 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. It centres around the ‘Royal Oak’ Public House, which was situated at the top of Mill Street. It traces its history until it was demolished in 1937 to make way for Vesey Gardens. Also included is a List of Licensees from its inception in 1866 until George Edward Stanier said “Time, gentlemen, please” on the 14th April 1937.

This is Part 3 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. It centres around the ‘Old Sun’ Inn, which was situated in Coleshill Street, almost directly opposite the Holbeche residence. It traces its history until it was demolished in 1937 to make way for Vesey Gardens. Included also is a List of Licensees from 1809, a Chronology of Parties involved in a legal nature with the ‘Old Sun’ and also information obtained from two boxes of legal papers issued between 1751 and 1899, held in the Local Studies Section of Sutton Coldfield Library under Ref: QSH 34.4.

This is Part 4 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street in Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. It centres around how and why the Vesey Memorial Garden first came into being, how the money was raised for the scheme, who was the architect, the properties that had to be demolished to make way for the development when it was completed and finally provides details about the official opening ceremony itself.

This is Part 5 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. Part 5 concentrates solely upon Church Hill, from its origins in the Georgian era until its ultimate demise in 1937, when the properties were demolished to make way for Vesey Memorial Gardens. Census Returns covering the period between 1841 and 1911, have been used, with particular emphasis being on the families who lived in the street.

This is Part 6 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. Part 6 concentrates solely upon Coleshill Street, from its origin dating back some 800 years to the time of the Earls of Warwick, until the early 1900’s. The research is centered on a diary written by Richard Holbeche in 1892. It is a recollection of the places he knew and the people he met during the period of his childhood. Census Returns covering the period between 1841 and 1911 have been used, together with Burgess Rolls, Poor Rate Books and Directories, to expand upon the initial information provided by Richard Holbeche about the families who lived in the street.

This is Part 7 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. Part 7 concentrates upon Mill Street, from its early origins. The information extends to encompass the Upper & Town Schools, the Workhouse, Moot Halls & Town Hall, the Almshouses, the Town Corn Mill & Dam, Drunkenness in Sutton Coldfield, Public Houses and the Shops & Shopkeepers trading in Mill Street during the 1920’s. Census Returns covering the period between 1841 and 1911 have been used, together with Burgess Rolls, Poor Rate Books, Sutton Directories and Roger Lea’s invaluable resource material contained in his ‘History Spots’, which members can, of course, view on our own website. Photographs, many from the author’s own collection, have been included to highlight the various sections.

This is Part 8 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. Part 8 provides information derived from the Sutton Coldfield Directories. In addition to the Sutton Coldfield Directories there are extracts from Pigot’s, Cope’s, Kelly’s and Aubrey’s Directories. These Directories were issued between 1830 and 1936 but, unfortunately, not all are available to view in Sutton Coldfield Library, many being missing for whatever reason.

This is Part 9 of research into Church Hill, Coleshill Street and Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield and the people who lived there. Part 9 provides information derived from the Sutton Coldfield Poor Rate Books. The Poor Rate Books can be found in the Archives Section of Sutton Coldfield Library.  These books list individuals who owned properties and were paying rates.  The names of the occupants of the properties are also included. In many instances, lists were produced twice a year, usually in May and October but, for the purposes of this research, only one list per year has been included. The Poor Rate Books were issued between 1839 and 1895.  Unfortunately, not all are available to view, many being missing for whatever reason and these have been duly noted as such.