Watts Yard. Oxford

[Ruskie]

I wonder what kind of housing was in these "yards"/"rows" etc. They do seem to have been quite small - not many families living there.

I wonder if, in particular, the yard may have been part of a larger building and similar to what we may today call a courtyard? If the building was demolished or altered for a different use, it's possible that the accomodation in the yard may not exist on later census. It may not even exist on maps (unless we can find one from 1881) as it may have had a change of name etc.

You can see how the enumerator walked along Woodstock Road, nipping into the yards and Rows to collect the census. In particular, I thought that "Brooks Zone" sounded very unusual.

Googling reveals that the pubs mentioned still exist along Woodstock Road.

Added after seeing Debz post: Great find! So much for my theory .... Debz, can you please direct me to where you found that - I'd like to have a look.

[DJFRENCH]

Apparently there is a map called Acland's map of Cholera Oxford 1854...Crappers Row seems to be on that map...if my findings are correct..

as you say Ruskie...small dwellings virtually with no name...ideal place for Cholera ..at that period it seems that notices were put up to make people aware of the dangers of going to St Giles Fair...in the city.
the book was written by henry Wentworth.... Wentworth road is in Cutteslowe " up the road".


i have fab memories of St Giles Fair in 1964   

[Julieharris]

Thanks DJ

[Maggie jo]

I'm looking at a map of Oxford City Parishes c1900.
St Giles is a parish that included areas each side of the Woodstock Road. The Northern boundary is where st Johns Road and Bevington road join/cross the Woodstock Road. This may narrow down the area of your search a bit.

Regards Maggie

[Julieharris]

Thank you DJ and everyone esle for all your help on this.

My head is in a spin going round and round the streets!!!

I feel the house is not there anymore..but it still remains that the bible was found in a house in that area some 20 years back. 

My gr gr grandmother (Susannah Harris) was the one who lived at no 10 Watts yard 1881 with two of her sisters living next door, but later in 1891 she was living in Grove St, North St Giles (Today I believe  this is in the area of where Turl Street meets High Street) and then in 1901 South Parade, Summertown.

My Gr Grandparents  Annie and Eli Ewers  (Susannah Harris and Eward Ewers  son) son  in 1934 were living at 3 Chaundys Place, Oxford as a Baker. Today the Westgate Shopping Centre sits on this site.

Re-development is not a new trend I feel 

The bible seems not to have been handed down through my gr gr grandmother Susannah ...but one of her siblings..but who??  And who lived in that house that was cleared?? 

Once again thank you to everyone who has been helping me on my search

Julie

[Maggie jo]

Hi again

I have a 1939 Kelly's Directory of Oxford and have found the following entry:

256 Woodstock Road               Harris Thos

250 & 252 Woodstock Road    St Edward's School

This would appear to fit in with the house clearance info.

Best wishes

Maggie

[DJFRENCH]

well julie,

it is a lovely find and story and as you say all of St Ebbe is now sitting under West Gate shopping centre.....sad that the original dwelling are not there , i used to live in Summertown , marston Ferry road and it was then a "dead" end through to the fields and river and so much  fun   

Now it is a fly over and only my old house stands... hey ho...progress and better living ....



I will keep Wyatts Yard / Watts yard in mind tho.

Debz

[DJFRENCH]

Just for the info Julie

There was a Grove St in Summertown and there was a Grove Street in Oxford. Grove Street in Oxford was changed to Magpie Lane(still there) in the 1920's


Grove sounded apparently too much like Grope .... how shocking 



Debz

[Julieharris]

Thanks DJ for all your help.

I think I will try Maggie Jo's info to see where that leads me 

I will keep all informed.

julie

Thanks Maggie Jo it sounds promising.

Will keep all posted.