Every so often some new snippet comes along that adds one more stitch to the tapestry of the family history. William Dennis (1805 – 1877), was my third great uncle, being brother of second great grandfather Henry.
OGLEY HAY, NEAR WALSALL
FREEHOLD COTTAGE PROPERTY,
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY
MR CHAS GILLARD, on MONDAY, the 16th of FEBRUARY, 1880, (by order of the Trustee of William Dennies, deceased), at the Chase Inn, Newtown, subject to conditions to be then stated, at six o’clock in the evening, TWO FREEHOLD COTTAGE DWELLING HOUSES adjoining each other, with brewhouses, Piggeries and other Appurtenances, together with the GARDEN GROUND at the rear of the same, upon which there is an excellent well of water, situate on the Watling Street Road, at Ogley Hay, opposite to Fox’s Row, now in the occupation of Dye & Perry,and containing about 26 ½ p.
For further particulars, apply to the Auctioneer, or to
Messrs. S. & H. S. CHINN
Solicitors, the Close, Lichfield.
This news article indicates that William owned some property. From the Probate Calendar the sole executor or trustee was Thomas Martin of Dove House Fields, Lichfield, bootmaker. William is named as Dennis otherwise Dennies, which ties in with the above notice, whose effects were under £100. William died in 1877, but this must be his estate as there appears to be no other William Dennis who died at the right time and place. The timing follows wife Elizabeth’s death in Spring 1879.
The 1881 census records a Richard Perry in about the right place with next record a Job Benton, greengrocer.
26 ½ poles equates to 0.165 acres, or about 798 square yards (668 square metres).
On the map below the Inn is the Anglesey Arms. Adjoining to the east is Fox’s Row. The road running east-west is Watling Street (A5). The property advertised was described as opposite Fox’s Row and having a well, which narrows down the location to that outlined in red.
Ordnance Survey 1962 Draft, from an image supplied by BrownhillsBob. The central part of the area shown on the 1883 map above.
On the map above, the Anglesey Arms is named and Fox’s Row remained. Opposite the east end of the row is a large stand-alone building which had been a grocery store run by Jonah Deakin Snr. and wife Jane from about 1900. By this time I think it was operated by George Mason. So that is what became of the land my third great uncle owned.
According to Kelly’s Directory of Staffordshire 1880, the licensee at the time was Mrs George Bradbury. In the 1881 census, Clara Bradbury, widow, publican. According to the Lichfield Mercury, 16 Aug 1878, at the Shenstone Petty Sessions “temporary authority was granted to Mrs Clara Bradbury, wife of the lately deceased George Bradbury, to carry on the Chasetown (sic) Inn”.
Andrew's Kindred 