Bath Road

Number 3

Unfortunately apart from this very poor quality image from an aerial photograph taken in the 1920's we do not have any images of this house.  In this photograph it is just visible in the middle of the picture, on the right hand side of the road and facing directly onto the road.   We've collected quite a lot of information about the house, the owners and occupants.  

We are grateful to South Gloucestershire Council in Castle Street for allowing us to photograph and record the deeds and documents relating to many properties in Thornbury, including the packet for 3 Bath Road.  This has given us access to records that relate the history of this property from when it was "wasteland" in the manor of Thornbury, through to the time that Thornbury District Council acquired it for development and turned it into the modern equivalent of a wasteland - a car park.

We have detailed below the owners of the property and something about them.  Please click here to read about the occupants of the house

On January 2nd 1828 Henry Howard of Thornbury Castle as Lord of the Manor of Thornbury leased to William Slain "All that piece or parcel of ground....by admeasurement three perches situate in Bulls Lane-- adjoining to an orchard there belonging to Thomas Osborne Wetmore on the northward and a garden in the occupation of George Nott on the eastward."  Henry Howard made the stipulation that he and his heirs and their servants were to be allowed "ingress and regress" "at all seasonable times."  William Slain had to pay 5/- a year rent for and during the life time of William Slain then aged 26 years Thirza his wife aged 23 years and Louisa their daughter then aged ten months.  William Rolph as attorney for Henry Howard was nominated to collect the rent.

William Slain - William Slain leased the 'property' on January 2nd 1828 from Henry Howard who was Lord of the Manor.  At that time William agreed to pay 5/- a year rent for the life time of himself, his wife and his daughter Louisa.  The property was then described as part of the wasteland of the Manor of Thornbury.  We know that William Slain had built a house on this by March 1832 because it is referred to in indentures that he made with George Cossham in that year when he transferred the lease of the house to George.  William and his family appear to have lived in a neighbouring house which later became known as 2 Bath Road. 

At the time of the indenture with Henry Howard in 1828 William was said to be 26 years old and Thirza his wife 23 years.  Their daughter Louisa was ten months. 

William was born on 25th July 1799 and baptised in Thornbury on 25th August 1799, the son of Charles Slain and his wife, Ann (nee Morgan).  We have not yet found the record of his marriage to Thirza.  William and Thirza had two daughters.  One of these, Louisa, was baptised on 12th December 1824, must have died young as a second daughter was baptised on 29th April 1827 named Louisa Jane. 

The 1841 Census shows that William was a carpenter aged 40 living with his wife, Thirza aged 40 and Louisa aged 14.

The 1851 Census shows that William, then described as a master wheelwright was aged 49 was living in 'St John Street', although we believe that this was the house which later became known as 10 Pullins Green.   He was living with Thirza aged 48 born in Latteridge,  their daughter Louisa aged 23 and Louisa's son, Charles Robert Slain aged 1 and a visitor, Mary Ann Sellman, late a cook aged 23 from Alveston.  Charles Robert Slain was baptised on 7th July 1850 at St Mary's Church in Thornbury.  The parent was Louisa Jane Slain.  Louisa Jane did not marry until 24th June 1856 when she married Luke Mills, a mariner and the son of Michael Mills, a labourer.

On 2nd May 1853 William bought a cottage in Gillingstool (Plot 521 on the 1840 Tithe Map).  The purchase price was £33.  It must have been a very old cottage as within a year he had knocked it down and was erecting a new one which still stands today on the corner of Oakleaze Road and Grovesend Road.  An indenture of mortgage which he arranged with John Hodges for £35 shows that the property was 'the ancient site of a cottage'.  This new cottage became William's home. 

The 1861 Census shows that William and Thirza were living in Gillingstool with live with their daughter Louisa and her husband, Luke and their children: Mary Elizabeth aged 2 and Charles William aged 1.  Thirza died aged 58 and was buried on 26th August 1862.  William died aged 70 and was buried on 18th September 1870.  In his will dated 28th March 1867 he left his property to his daughter, Louisa Jane, the wife of Luke Mills.  William died on 15th September 1870.  The 1871 Census shows Louisa Jane Mills continued to live in Gillingstool with her son William than aged 4 and two lodgers William and Elizabeth Griffiths.  Luke Mills died in March 1888 aged 68 and Louisa Jane Mills died in Thornbury in November 1894 aged 68.

George Cossham  On 20th March 1832 George Cossham bought the lease of  both  the land and the tenement built by William Slain for £49 10s for the term of the lives of William Thirza and Louisa.  The property was then in the occupation of Henry Herbert alias Walker.  George Cossham was a son of Jesse and Ann Cossham and one of the well-known and very influential family of carpenters in the town.  Click here to read about George Cossham

Jane Hancock.  By releases of 6th and 7th Feb 1837 Jane Hancock a widow made an agreement with Henry Howard, William Slain and George Cossham.  She paid fifty five pounds to George Cossham for the land and the cottage in which she was then living.  She paid Henry Howard six pounds and five shillings for the lease and ten shillings to William Slain for giving up the lease.  This means that Jane Hancock now owned the property freehold.

The 1840 Tithe Map shows that this house was part of Plot number 329.  The Tithe Apportionment indicates that there were two houses here, one of which was owned and occupied by Jane Hancock, the other by Charles Nott (number 5).  The 1841 Census shows us that Jane Hanock was aged 76 and of independent means and she was living with Hannah aged 30, Elizabeth aged five and Susannah aged two.  Jane died aged 76 and was buried 25th February 1843.

Jane had been married to James Hancock a blacksmith in Oldbury on Severn.  Their daughter Hannah had been born on 20th March 1810 and baptised in Oldbury on 20th June 1811.  We don't know when James died.  the records indicate that their daughter Hannah had three illegitimate children; Elizabeth baptised 20th May 1832 at Oldbury, George baptised on23rd July 1834 when Hannah was in the Poorhouse in Thornbury (George died there after only six months) and Susannah baptised in Thornbury on 14th September 1842. The excellent Scribes Alcove Website which is the source of much of our information about parish records gives the name of the mother of Susannah as Harriett.  Susannah was living with this family and we do not know if there was an error in the records or if Susannah was someone else's child who was taken into this household. 

On 30th day of August 1841 Jane Hancock sold the cottage she was living in and three parrocks of land to Thomas Facey a shopkeeper for £50.   The cottage was bought in a very unusual way.   At the time she sold it it was described as "wherein the said Jane Hancock doth now dwell," and it seems that she would continue to do so.  A note on the indenture said that half the purchase money was to be paid in weekly payments of 5/- a week and half in "shop goods."  Jane was allowed to occupy the house until the purchase money was paid.  The method of payment and the fact that it was arranged in this way to enable her to continue to live in the house seem to suggest that Jane was struggling to survive.    Jane died in 1843 and was buried on 25th February.

Thomas Facey.  Thomas Facey, described as  a shopkeeper, bought the property on 30th day of August 1841 for £50.  Half the purchase money was to be paid in weekly payments of 5/- a week and half in "shop goods."  Thomas Facey sold the property to Thomas Wilson in an  indenture of 16th July 1873.

Thomas was born on 9th April 1797 and baptised on 14th February 1798.  He was the son of Thomas Facey and his wife, Martha (nee Rymer).  On 12th April 1830 Thomas married Mary Ann Hookway in Thornbury.  Mary Ann Hookway was born in Crediton, Devon.  According to a family tree on ancestry she was the daughter of Robert Hookway and his wife, Elizabeth (nee Norman).  The IGI says she was baptised on 30th May 1802 at Saint Giles-In-The-Wood in Great Torrington area in Devon.

The Trade Directory of 1839 describes Thomas Facey as a pork butcher and shopkeeper.  He seems to have run a general shop.  At the time of the 1840 Tithe Survey Thomas was listed as a tenant living in Plot 147, a house and court at the top end of St Mary Street on the west side behind the Exchange (now the Knot of Rope).  The 1841 census shows Thomas was a shopkeeper aged 40 living with his wife, Mary Ann aged 33 and their children: Frederick aged 10, Edwin aged 5 and Mary Ann aged 9 months.  Also living with them were Elizabeth Rymer aged 11 and two servants, Mary Cossham aged 7 and Priscilla Hughes aged 9.   

Thomas and Mary Ann had a large number of children: Frederick Giles baptised on 4th May 1831, Francis Hookway baptised on 15th May 1833, Isabella Maria baptised on 15th July 1835, Edwin Henry baptised on 18th March 1838, Mary Anne Laura baptised on 27th September 1840, Anna Maria baptised on 12th February 1843, Arabella Maria baptised on 2nd February 1845 and Herbert Burrington baptised on 26th January 1848.  Of these children, Isabel died aged 1 and was buried on 6th July 1836.  Thomas was described as a carpenter in the baptism records from 1831 to 1835.  He was described as a shopkeeper in 1838 to 1840, as a grocer in 1843 to 1848.  The trade directories list Thomas as a pork butcher and shopkeeper in 1839 and thereafter as a grocer and dealer in sundries or as a shopkeeper.

The 1851 census shows Thomas was living living in the St Mary Street property.  He was described as a general shopkeeper aged 54 and Mary Ann as aged 44.  Frederick was an apprentice carpenter aged 20, Edwin, Mary A L, Arabella and Herbert B were at home. 

By an indenture of 30th December 1857 Thomas raised a mortgage on his property in Bath Road from Isaac Budgett.  The 1859 Rate Book also shows that he owned a number of properties; a house in "Back Street " occupied by Jessie Cossham, a house and orchard in "Back Street" occupied by Hester Allen and a house in Bulls Lane that he occupied himself.  He never owned the property in St Mary Street where he had lived for many years.

In the 1861 and 1871 censuses Thomas Facey lived in Chapel Street which was also known as Rotten Row.  In 1861 Thomas was described as a carpenter and his wife Mary Ann as the shopkeeper.  Anna  Maria was a dressmaker aged 18 and Arabella an apprentice aged 16.  Mary Ann died on October 25th 1870 and was buried in Thornbury on October 30th.

On 2nd January 1863 the Inspector of Nuisances presented Thomas with a notice of nuisance existing upon his premises in Bull Lane (Bath Road).  The Board directed Thomas to abate the nuisance otherwise he was threatened with court action.

In 1871 the widowed Thomas lived in Chapel Street.  He was described as a carpenter with his daughter Arabella a dressmaker and their servant Mary Ann Comely aged 16.  Thomas had not owned this house either - the 1867 Rate Book shows it was owned by Jesse Cossham and the 1876 Rate Book shows Elizabeth Tanner was the owner.

Thomas Facey had borrowed £70 from Isaac Budgett using his Bath Road property as security.  When Isaac wanted his money back, Thomas Facey raised another loan from James Parnell of £80 which enabled him to pay back Isaac and gave himself £10.  This transaction took place in June 1865.  In an indenture of 16th July 1873 James Parnell was represented by his sister Frances Stephens a widow as James himself was serving  in the army.  Thomas Wilson bought the property.  Because £55 had already been repaid to James Parnell, this indenture settled the outstanding debt with a further £25 paid to Frances Stephen and £11 to Thomas Facey.

Mary Ann died on 25th October 1870 aged 63 and was buried on 5th November.  In 1871 Thomas was listed in the same house.  He was shown as a carpenter and shopkeeper living with Arabella a dressmaker aged 26.  Thomas died aged 78 and was buried on 4th July 1876.

Children of Thomas and Mary Ann Facey

Frederick Giles Facey was baptised 4th May 1831 and died in 1891

Francis Hookway Facey was baptised 15th May 1833 and died in 1901

Isabella Maria Facey  was baptised 15th July 1835.  We know nothing more about Isabella.

Edwin Henry Thomas Facey was baptised in Thornbury on 18th March 1838.  In the 1841 and 1851 censuses Edwin was living with his parents in Back Street (St Mary Street) where his father had a general shop.  Click here to read about more

Mary Ann Facey was baptised 27th September 1840.  She married Charles William Carter on 5th March 1861 the son of Elizabeth and Joseph Carter.  Click here to read about the Carter family

Anna Maria Facey  was baptised in Thornbury on 12th February 1843.  In 1864 she married Thomas Morgan  the son of  George Morgan, a tailor and his wife, Mary.  They lived at 59 St Mary Street.  Click here to read about Thomas and Anna Maria Morgan

Arabella Maria Facey was  baptised 2nd February 1845.  We do not know what happened to Arabella.

Henry Barrington Facey was baptised 26th January 1848.  We do not know what happened to Henry Barrington Facey.

Thomas Wilson.  An indenture of 16th July 1873 gave Thomas Wilson ownership of the cottage and its three perches of land for a total of £37.  Thomas was a grocer and beerhouse keeper who was running the Horseshoe Inn in St Mary Street.  Click here to read more about Thomas 

By his Will dated 2nd January 1880 Thomas Wilson, grocer and beer house keeper  bequeathed all his property of every nature to his wife, Anna Maria Wilson.  Thomas died on 4th January 1882 and his Will proved on 4th July 1882.  On 19th October 1885 the Will of Anna Maria Wilson of the Horse Shoe Inn widow appointed George Wilson, her brother in law of 15 New Thomas Street St Phillips, Bristol wheelwright and Thomas Honeyborne of Morton butcher as trustees and executors.  She left all her estate to them on trust.  On 16th November 1885 Anna Maria Wilson died and on 9th February 1886 the Will was proved.  Her estate, including number 3 Bath Road, continued to be managed by her trustees.  One of the trustees, George Wilson died on 5th September 1892 so Thomas Honeyborne became the sole trustee.  The house was advertised for sale on 15th February 1896 together with other property owned by Thomas Wilson.  It was sold for £60.

Henry Baylis.  On 25th March 1896 Thomas Honeyborne as executor sold the cottage and its land to Henry Baylis for £60.  At that time the tenant was John Savery.

The 1899 Rate Book shows that Henry Baylis, who owned the house next door at number 1, was the new owner of number 3.  We know from the 1901 Census that the house was small - only three rooms were counted at that time.  Henry Baylis died 19th May 1918.

Herbert Sherborne, a carpenter of Lower Bath Road bought the property on 25th March 1919 from Walwin Baylis and George Tucker who were the trustees of the estate of the previous owner Henry Baylis for £150.  Herbert had married one of Henry's grand-daughters, Jane Baylis.  They moved in to live in the house on the opposite side of the road which became known as 4 Bath Road.  Click here to read about the Sherbornes

When the house was put up for sale in 1948 it was described as a "Valuable detached dwelling house situate at Lower Bath Road, Thornbury lately in the occupation of Mr Ginn.  The property is stone-built and tiled and the accommodation comprised 3 bedrooms, sitting room, kitchen, usual offices, main services.  Vacant possession on completion."  Perhaps Herbert Sherborne or Henry Baylis had modernised the property as it now seems larger than the three rooms of 1901.

Norman John Rogers of the Hollies Rockhampton, Falfield bought the property from Herbert Sherborne on 30th September 1948 for £600. The 1950 and 1954 Electoral Registers show the house was occupied by Norman John and Olive Mary Rogers.  We understand that Norman worked for the Thornbury Grammar School on the maintenance side.  On 16th August 1956 Norman (described as an employee of the Salvage Department) sold the property to Francis Hopkins for £300.  We have been told that left to move to Berkeley.

Francis Hopkins On 16th August 1956 Francis Hopkins bought the property from Norman Rogers for £300.  Francis and his wife lived at 1 Bath Road.  On 26th October 1959 Francis sold the property to Leslie Albert Smith.  The sale included land associated with 1 Bath Road and the entire property was sold for £1300.   In the 1959 document the cottage was described as "now condemned."  Click here to read about Francis Hopkins

The property then appeared to be bought by people interested in it as a speculative investment.

Leslie Albert Smith, a builder of Oaklands Building Estate, Oldland bought the property in August 1956 for £1300.  He sold it in February 1960 for £1300.

St Anne's Investment Company Ltd bought the property from Leslie Albert Smith on 11th February 1960 for £1300. The purchase included the entire property referred to above including the garden land associated with 1 Bath Road.  Number 3 Bath Road was included in the sale, although it was still being noted that the house was 'condemned'.   

Thornbury Rural District Council bought the property from St Anne's Investment company on  5th April 1967.  £11,100 for entire property as above, except for the house at 3 Bath Road which appears to have been demolished.

The whole site then became part of the town's re-development scheme and it has now been replaced by Rock Street car park.

Click here to read about the OCCUPANTS of the house 

This page was last updated: 22/01/2012