11 Rock Street

Occupants

Number 11 Rock Street is the smaller of the two houses shown on the right of the photo. 

An indenture dated 1822 relating to the four houses built by William Cowley on the adjoining land refers to this property as being on the north and east sides 'late of Richard Collins and Ann his wife, but now of a person called         Allen (whose forename was omitted from the indenture), late in the occupation of James Saunders, but now of Charles Cossham'. 

Richard Collins - the land tax records of 1780 to 1784 show Richard Collins owning and occupying a property in Thornbury.  We don't know anything about Richard or his wife, Ann.

We know that during the time the property was owned by James and Mary Allen, the land tax records show it was occupied by William Motley in 1800, by James Saunders  in 1808 to 1814, by Charles Cossham in 1819 to 1822, by William Lippiatt from 1823 to 1827, John Thomas in 1828 and 1829, John Powell in 1830 and James Hurn in 1831 and 1832.

We have had great difficulty in identifying the occupants of each house in the 1841 and 1851 census records so we have not attempted to do so until we get some other supporting sources.  The history of occupants is therefore based on what people have been able to tell us, backed up by church records, electoral registers, school records etc.  In this case, we know from local knowledge and from the rating books, censuses and electoral registers that the house was occupied by:

Sarah Bendall -  in 1861 Sarah was a widow of an agricultural labourer living with her son, George, a mason's labourer aged 40, both from Cam and a grandson, also named George aged 8 from Thornbury. 

In 1841 Sarah is living with her husband, Meshack Bendall in Gillingstool.  They had 3 children living with them, George, William and Hannah.  Meshack died aged 55 and was buried on 7th November 1852.

In 1871 she is still living in 11 Rock Street, now clearly shown as aged 83. Her son George a labourer aged 50 is also still living with her.  Sarah died aged 85 and was buried on 26th June 1879.

In the 1880 Rate Book and the 1881 census, the house is vacant. 

Thomas Millard - in the 1885 Rate Book, the name of the occupant is 'Millard'.  The 1887 Rate Book shows that Thomas Millard had recently vacated the property. Click here to read more about the family

John Rugman - according to the 1890 Rate Book the house was occupied by John Rugman.  We are not sure which John Rugman this refers to, but we suspect it was the John Rugman who married Ellen hunt in 1886.  Click here to read more about John

In the 1891 census, the house appears vacant again and was vacant in the 1894 Rate Book.

Oliver and Lucy Screen - the 1899 Rate Book, the 1901 census and 1905 Rate Book show the Screens living in this house - Click here for more information about Oliver and Lucy

William Webb - the 1910 Rate Book shows that the house was occupied by William Webb.  We suspect that he was William Thomas Webb - click here to read more

Luke Higgs - the 1911 census shows that Luke was living in the house.  Luke was described as a pauper aged 74 from Tytherington.  He was living with his wife, Ellen , aged 64 from Berkeley.  Click here to read more

Goliath and Julia Cole
From the early 1900's the house was occupied by Goliath and Julia Cole.  We know from locals that they were living in 11 Rock Street in living memory.  The earliest record of them living there which we have found so far is in 1915 when their son, Sidney started at the Council Upper School.  Click here to read more about Goliath and his family

Reg & Edna Vowles - Reg and Edna moved here in the early 50's from their house at 8 Upper Bath Road and they stayed here until early 1960 when they moved to 12 Gloucester Road - click here to read more about Reg and Edna

Jeffrey & Anita Wilcox who moved in August 1960 and stayed for about two years before being re-housed by the Council.  The house was then vacant  for two or three more years until it was finally demolished. 

 This page was last updated: 10/11/2011