On the 80th Anniversary of VE day it seems suitable to post the story of Mary Ann Knight, who at the time of her death in 1957 was “believed to be Belmont’s oldest resident” aged 97. Mary was born Mary Ann Sage on 16th December 1860 in Kenninghall in Norfolk to Robert Sage and AnnContinue reading “Mary Ann Knight”
Author Archives: fionaalicegenie
D-Day – Remembering Ronald Fowler
Ronald Vincent Fowler, 5112602 Lance Corporal, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion Ronald was born on the 25th July 1917, he was the son of Charles Fowler and Eliza Jane Bridgewood. He was one of 14 children all born in Warwickshire. In 1939, Ronald lived at 20 Alexandra Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire with his father, step-mother andContinue reading “D-Day – Remembering Ronald Fowler”
Tram Accident – Easter Monday 1907
Bus and tram services had reached Sutton New Town by 1900. The Sutton Journal from 14th November 1901, comments “It has been found that towns a few miles apart can be connected together by the electric tram at less cost than by railways.” In 1903 a bus service ran from South Croydon to Sutton, butContinue reading “Tram Accident – Easter Monday 1907”
Edwin Mills – Ostler
Looking at newspapers from 100 years ago shows a very different Sutton to the one we know today. This blog focuses on Edwin Mills – an ostler who lived in Sutton New Town. An ostler is a person employed to take care of horses, usually at a stable connected to an inn. Edwin was anContinue reading “Edwin Mills – Ostler”
Remembering one of the many lost men of Sutton New Town
Charles Henry Levett, Private Middlesex Regiment, 1st Battalion, L/8830 Charles was born in Notting Hill, London to Thomas and Annie Levett. Charles’ father had various occupations including general labourer, milk carter and bootmaker/repairer. Charles’ mother died when he was only 12. In 1911 Charles was living at Sutton Grove in Sutton, he was 30 yearsContinue reading “Remembering one of the many lost men of Sutton New Town”
78 Westmead Road
Francis Vint – 78 Westmead Road, Sutton Francis Alexander Vint was born on 12th March 1894 in Thornton Heath, Surrey. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Vint and was one of 12 siblings. At the time of the 1911 census the family lived at 235 Dunstans Road, East Dulwich. Francis was recorded asContinue reading “78 Westmead Road”
Thomas Comfort – Chimney sweep
A profession that is no longer found in abundance in Sutton is that of the chimney sweep. One of Sutton New Town’s chimney sweeps was Thomas James Comfort. Thomas was born in Eynsford, Kent in 1876 and he was baptised at St Martin’s Church, Eynsford on 13th February 1876. He was the son of ThomasContinue reading “Thomas Comfort – Chimney sweep”
Miss Morelli
Miss Morelli – School for Little Boys and Girls This was one of the examples of early child care, nursery school/pre-school in Sutton New Town. The advert above appeared in the St Barnabas Parish Magazine from December 1925 to April 1927. Miss Flora Margherita Louise Morelli was born in Kensington, London in 1865. Her fatherContinue reading “Miss Morelli”
“Woodleigh”
The Burrage Family – “Woodleigh” 71 Westmead Road This is one of the oldest properties on Westmead Road. The house will soon be gone as part of a new development due to be built in this area. I thought I would look into its history and investigate who lived there. At the time of theContinue reading ““Woodleigh””
Elizabeth Fewell
Sutton New Town’s Sub Postmistress Elizabeth Fewell (nee Newman) was born in Croydon in 1839. She married James Fewell in Upper Norwood in 1862. By 1865 they had moved to Sutton. By the time of the 1871 census Elizabeth and James had settled at Lind Road, Sutton. James worked as a postman and they ranContinue reading “Elizabeth Fewell”
Sutton New Town 