social history 1

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The brickyard “I now believe” was in St John’s Tunbridge Wells. This is because John Ready Thurston (my Great, Great grandfather) who lived at 23 Southfield Brickyard just a few yards from a brickyard, in the 1881 census he was shown as “occupation Brick and Tile Maker” also at 23 Southfield Brickyard was “William Boson, M, Head, married, age 29, born Frant, Sussex; occupation Brick maker's labourer”.
The Brickyard itself is now under the recreation ground – behind Hermes house.
John Ready Thurston came from Cambridge and moved to Tunbridge Wells with his family sometime between 1872 and 1881. John Ready died in July 1881 when he was just 44, possibly an accident in the brickyard? As his wife Susan re-married and died in 1919.

As to brickyard on the forest. I know they were there, but they would have been small operations.

[Jumon]

Wow -- I just did a google search for Southfield Brickyard, Tunbridge Wells, not expecting to find anything but came across this!  Amazing photograph!

My great (x4) grandfather Thomas Marchant b1802 Newick, Sussex lived at Southfield Brickyard with his family, he appears there in the census 1841-1871.  He died in 1877 so he may not have known your John Thurston.

Worked out from the census that his home must have been on St Johns Road but I am still trying to work out exactly where.  I think the buildings must be gone now.  There is a Southfield Road and a Southfields Way and also Southfield's playing fields in the area but does not make it easy to pinpoint the exact location.  If you have any other info on the cottages of brickyard I'd be very grateful!

EDIT -- I have now just seen your later post saying the brickyard is under the recreation ground behind Hermes house.  I will have to take a look -- thanks!