Location: Villa Fields, Bathwick

[Adrian Smith]

Hi All,

Once again, I'm having trouble reading a birth certificate.  I believe the Residence of Informant says '13, Villa Field, Bathwick', but I have been unable to find it on any map.  Does anyone know where this might have been [1868]?

Regards,

Adrian.

[kiwipom]

Adrian
They're definately there. In the 1912 Post Office Directory they are sub located at 'New Cleveland Bridge'
There is a further division Numbers 1-5 Rochfort Cottages and 11-64 Villa Fields.
There are not a complete 64 houses, in fact only 24 addresses with number 24 also having a 24a.
Residents include 'Church caretaker' and 'Sexton' so maybe close to Church.

At present I am in Korea and unable to use my maps but search close to the Cleveland Bridge. I would've thought that closer to Walcot than Bathwick

[kiwipom]

Adrian
Just had a look at the 1872 Directory and Villa Fields does not appear but Rochfort Place does located Bathwick Street Cleveland Bridge. It MAY be that the Post office recognised Villa Fields by a differrent name or it was not sufficiently affluent enough to be important. Maybe only Ratepayers listed.
I know it was there, I have relatives there also and I have difficulty finding them in some P.O. Directories

[Adrian Smith]

Many thanks for this information.  I did manage to find an online map which pinpoints the general area but there's nothing specific.

http://www.bath.org/maps/bath.swf

[kiwipom]

Give me a name Adrian, I'll search the P.O. Directory and see what comes up

[Adrian Smith]

Wow!  Thanks.  I'm looking for the Hemens family, variously spelled Hemmens, Hemins and even Hemmings 

[kiwipom]

Adrian there are no Hemmens in the 1872 Directory.
There is a Hemery a Lewis Hemming who is a Carpenter at 2 Williams Place Northampton Buildings
and there are several Hemmings a William who is a Carpenter Wheelwright at Wick, in the 1895 Directory he becomes Heming with one M.

In the 1912 there are Hemsburys to Hemmsleys  with a variety of Hemmings but none at Villa Fields.

Sorry I have the same problem finding mine

BTW you can download these directories from the Bath BMD website
www. bathbmd.org.uk

[Adrian Smith]

Many thanks for looking.  Mine are a stubborn lot 

[Phil Goater]

Adrian - your map is WRONG concerning the 19th century location of 'Villa Fields'. The indication for the University of Bath shows the map is of somewhat recent origin. Some clever clogs have put a spanner in the works by taking an old area name and putting it on the wrong side of the river! That side was never Bathwick!

Have a look at this:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapsheet.aspx?compid=55136&sheetid=8091&ox=0&oy=0&zm=1&czm=10&x=291&y=188

I was brought up in Rockcliffe Road, Bathwick and am fascinated to see that it appears to have been built in the area covered by Villa fields (along with Forester avenue/road and the fire station). I used to walk this way to primary school. I must confess that until now I never knew it had been called Villa fields. The church mentioned is the Anglican church of St.John the baptist which was built in 1861 and is very much of the 'High' church tradition and is situated across the other side of Bathwick Street.

Thanks for the provocation to check this out!

Regards,
Phil