The Pitts, Park Road, Hamptonwick

[dixie2]

Does anyone know if this place still exists or any idea what or where it was/is please

[Little Nell]

Park Road in Hampton Wick certainly still exists.  I don't know the name of the house, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a large Victorian house, which might now be subdivided.  Park Road overlooks Bushey Park and many of the houses are large and grand looking.

Nell

PS Welcome to RootsChat!

[dixie2]

Thanks little Nell. On quite a few of the Census year my relatives are shown as living at "The Pitts" Hamptonwick but in the 1851 Census Park Road comes first then below it "The Pitts" so I suppose the question is was it a house (if it was it was a very large one) or was it another area adjacent to Park Road, quite a mystery. I am looking forward to when the 1841 Census comes on line to see if there is anymore info.

Dixie2

PS Thanks for the welcome

[skb]

Looking at the 1861 census, the Pitts seems to follow on after the Swan Inn and the Free Schools. The people living there don't seem very grand so I would guess it was a row of cottages, or a terrace of small houses. I'll try and have a wander down there and see if there's any trace of it.

[dixie2]

Thanks SKB, as GGGrandfather was only a labourer I did not think it would be a big house. It makes you wonder how it got its name !!! His son went on to own a dairy so they went up in the world !!!
If only I could find the birth cert for GGrandfather I would get over the brick wall.

I have asked for a look up on the 1841 census for GGGrandfather but so far no luck.
Thanks for your interest, look forward to hearing from you.
Dixie2

[skb]

Dixie2, I have a new theory about this.

I've looked at several censuses. Sometimes the Pitts appears with Park Rd, sometimes with Upper Teddington Road, but it seems to be very close to the Railway Inn (which is still there). One census has, in the same area, "Gravel Pit Hill", and I also found a reference to gravel pits near Bushy Park at 

www.oldbaileyonline.org/html_units/1780s/t17810711-66.html

Nowadays, the area behind the Railway Inn seems to have a slightly hollowed-out appearance. There are some fairly new buildings there (library, sheltered housing, community centre). So my new theory - pure speculation - is that "The Pitts" was a collection of houses by the gravel pits.

(Alternatively, it could just be the enumerator's comment on the condition of the buildings )

If you put go to www.multimap.co.uk and look for Hampton Wick, you will see this area between Park Road and High Street.

If you would like more information, you could try the Hampton Wick Association www.hamptonwick.org

or Twickenham Museum
www.twickenham-museum.org.uk

[dixie2]

Hi Skb

Wow !!! You have certainly come up with lots of info, a lot seems to fit. Have only had a quick look at the sites but all look very interesting. I am getting itchy feet to visit the area.

It's a pity we do not get interested in our family history until the gggrandparents. ggrandparents and grandparents are no longer with us to ask.
Thanks once again for your help.
Kind regards Dixie 

[dixie2]

Hi SKB

Back in January you helped me with some info re The Pitts Hamptonwick. Well today we visited various places in Middlesex one of which was Hamptonwick. Along side the Railway Tavern are some cottages, above the door on one of them is Gravel Pit Hill. We think this is probably where my GGGrandfather lived. Thought you might be interested to know how you helped us. Thank you.
Regards Dixie2



Moderator Comment: topics merged

[skb]

Sorry Dixie, I've only just spotted your message (Most of my ancestors were from Lancashire so I don't visit the Middlesex boards very often.)

I often pass the Gravel Pit Hill cottages on the bus, but I'd never noticed the sign until you posted your query.

Hope your research is going well.