Eliza FIELD b1835, Linton (and Norton) By Bromyard (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Tuesday, May 06, 2014, 22:57 (3855 days ago) @ Mike Pinchin

Thanks Mike, very interesting (I do like maps and old trains), also thanks for mentioning my Linton mix-ups in such a nice way. Sorry for not twigging the full significance of how far Bromyard is from "our" Linton/Gorsley area, think I was getting mixedup with Bromsberrow, sorry !

I see there are Lintons all over the UK, but for "Linton by Bromyard" here some more historical details about the oldest (C17th) buildings in the area. I particularly like their pub name !
See http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=124922

As usual the Genuki page for Bromyard gives transcripts of the 1868 National Gazetteer, but we are particularly fortunate that it also contains complete Kelly's Trade Directory entries from 1858, 1879 and 1929.
See these pages
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HEF/Bromyard/Gaz1868.html
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HEF/Bromyard/index.html

The most detailed Directory entry is for 1879, and includes

"BROMYARD is a very small, but compact and well built market town...... Parish consists of the townships of BROMYARD, NORTON with BROCKHAMPTON, LINTON and WINSLOW,.... ".

"LINTON township is adjoining to Bromyard town, and extends 3 miles south. Clater Park, the seat of William Barneby, esq. D.L., J.P. is delightfully situated about 2 miles from the town, closely adjoining the turnpike road leading from Bromyard to Worcester, and commands an extensive and picturesque view of the Ankerdine Hills and the River Teme, with its beautiful windings, for several miles. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners and John H, Barneby-Lutley, esq. are lords of the manor; and John H. Barneby-Lutley, esq. J.P., William Barneby, esq. J.P., and the Rev. Arthur Childe are the chief landowners. The soil is Clayey and loamy; subsoil, rock and clay. The chief crops are wheat, barley, beans, peas and hops. Cider is made here. The population in 1871 was 605; rateable value, £4,345.

NORTON-WITH-BROCKHAMPTON. - In this township is Buckenhill House, the residence of Lady Shakerley, delightfully situated about1½ miles north from the town, and commands a beautiful view of the country around Brockhampton, the residence of John Habington Barneby-Lutley, esq. D.L., J.P. is pleasantly situated on an eminence about 2½ miles east; and adjoining the same is a chapel endowed by the family, proprietors of Brockhampton House; the Rev. Robert Bentley, B.A. who resides at Bromyard, is curate. Here is an infant school for boys and girls. On the Downs, in an elevated part of the township, is the race course; also rifle butts. Here are stone quarries. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners are Lords of the Manor; and William Barneby esq. are chief landowners. The soil is clayey and loamy; subsoil, rock and clay. The chief crops are wheat, barley, and beans. The area is 5,243 acres (inclusive of Linton); rateable value, £4,410; the population in 1871 was 578."

The above Kelly's Directory also includes a substantial list of local inhabitants including this possible relative for John, listed under Linton

"Potter William, farmer, The Downs" c1879, worth looking up in 1881 Census ?

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The 1929 Directory shows that Linton's population had fallen to just 430, presumably as people were moving away from agricultural work into the nearby towns and cities, no surprise it seems so elusive nowadays.

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To find Linton on modern maps try looking just west of Linley Green / Bringsty, or just southeast of Bromyard. The search engine of the Old-Maps site won't recognise Linton but DOES recognise and give a map if you search "Linton Brook Farm". From this modern map you can access various large scale maps back to 1885; the Farm is immediately north of the Worcester and Bromyard Railway line, the Bromsgrove end of this is now the Light Railway as Mike has said.

Fortunately the Farm House still stands and has a helpful website including map, photos and some history, looks a lovely area to visit.
http://lintonbrookfarm.com/location.html

Finally, Liz, you mentioned John was an engine driver. Please do you know whether this was a railway engine, if so what line, etc ?? I ask because of my mechanical engineering background and interests, not to learn any gory details of his accident.
Thanks.