Neasham Place

[hochiwich]

In 1861 my great great grandfather James Edmenson (then spelled Edmundson) lived in Neasham Place in Houghton and is described as a coachman and groom.  My grandfather had told me that his grandad had been a coachman for a big house. 

I believe that there is/was a Neasham House which was or became a girls's school and I wonder if anyone could comment on the likelihood of that being where he worked as a coachman. 

Is there any way of finding out any more? I'd be grateful for anything you can tell me.

[mymarras]

Nesham Place and manor house  was owned by John Neasham, who was owner of the Newbottle Collieries(1730's). He named all of the collieries after his daughters. The Elizabeth (Betty Pit), Mary Pit, Lady Ann, Margaret (Peggy Pit) and the Dorothea. His daughter Mary married into the Goodchild family (the Sunderland Banking family). To find out more information on the collieries visit my site. www.mymarras.co.uk

[hochiwich]

Thanks for that, I will indeed!  I have so little information on the family and want to track down what I can.

hochiwich

[Wearsider]

H - The following is taken from some background information, including drawings and maps, which I was given some years ago by a man who's ancestors had lived in Warden House, Nesham Place, from c1886  (note the spelling of 'Nesham'):

"The original house was built in 1701/2 on a large site near the western approach to the Market Place.  It was built as the Manor House and was a very grand house.  To the rear there were some farm buildings, a row of cottages and stabling, but these may have been demolished in the 1870s.

In 1745, an extension of eight rooms was built on to the western end of the original house to provide accomodation for an army of servants.

During the early years of the 19th century a new Manor House was built in Nesham Place. 

Warden House was subdivided into three houses possibly some time between 1906 - 1947. "



I can recall the time when 'Manor House; was used as a surgery by three local doctors, unfortunately I do not have any further information on this.

The area was extensively researched by the late Ken Richardson and he was the author of one or two books on the area.  'Houghton le Spring in old postcards' may have more information and photos of Nesham Place.

Of the collieries listed by 'mymarras' Lambton D pit was not one that was owned by John Nesham.

Alan.

[hochiwich]

Thanks Alan,  I'll look for the books you mention.  I had noticed that the spelling of Neasham/Nesham Place has changed over the years.

Seeing old postcards would be fascinating too and a great addition to the family history I'm writing, providing I can get permission to use any.  It wouldn't be for profit, just family interest.

After visiting My Marras I bought the video of postcards of Newbottle etc and when my mother saw it she recognised the very street where she was born and raised, with people standing outside the exact house. It's amazing what you can find in these things.

Christine

[Wearsider]

If you have a look on the City of Sunderland website for Listed Buildings there are four in Nesham Place.  Follow this link

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/pages/ListedBuildings/lbbuildingdetails.asp?Id=456/7/49&keyword=&Ownership=&Address3=Coalfields&Grade=

to go to Manor House.

Alan.

[hochiwich]

Thanks Alan, I've looked at that.  I've also discovered that the FHS at Manchester have Houghton in Old Picture Postcards - two  volumes - and have contacted them.   I haven't seen them anywhere else online though.

Christine

[Wearsider]

Three other houses in Nesham Place - Warden House, Heatherlea and Ashlea (the last two together formed the 1745 extension) are described on another City of Sunderland website but I have not located any photos.  I remember being in Heatherlea over 40 years ago as it was then owned by friends of my wife's.

Look out also for any other book(s) by ken Richardson.

Alan.

[hochiwich]

Thanks again, I will. 

Unfortunately the census returns don't give an actual address for my gr gr grandfather, just Neasham Place,  which doesn't help me a lot, and his profession is given then as coachman (domestic). 

It was my grandfather who told me that his grandfather had driven the coach for a big house, and that was all I had to go on for a long time.   I've found quite a lot since then but I imagine local knowledge would be the way to go for finding anything more definite.

Christine