Blackmore: Newson Family

Received
21 June 2010

My name is Sue Whitbread and my mother, whose maiden name was Newson, was born in Blackmore.

I am now trying to find out about the family. Having found the Blackmore Area Local History web page I understand that you are tracing the village history and hence I would appreciate the opportunity of talking to/visiting you.

A little bit of background for you:

My grandfather was Harry Newson.

My grandmother was Lucy Sutton.

My father was Frederick Warder (who came from Ingatestone) and used do deliveries for both the butcher (Stiff’s) and baker (Warder’s of Ingatestone).

My mother is Irene and she had two sisters, Evelyn and Winifred.

The last address I have for my grandparents living in Blackmore was “The Woodbines”, Fingrith Hall Road. (My grandparents moved from Blackmore to Brightlingsea.)

My grandparents were greatly involved with St.Laurence church.

To the best of my knowledge, as well as being a residence, the Woodbines was also where a doctor held surgery.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Sue Whitbread.


Replied
22 June 2010

Hello Sue

Thank you for your e mail. Perhaps you could let me know if you have any specific questions and I will try to answer them. I am very happy to post this data on the blog.

I am particularly interested to hear that you are a Sutton descendant. Are you able to tell me a little more about your grandparents connection with the church? What era would that be? Would they be related in any way to Ted (Edward) and David Sutton, victims of the First World War?

Regards

Andrew

Received
30 June 2010

Andrew,

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I don’t think I have any direct connection with Ted or David Sutton but this side of the family is a bit hazy. All I know for sure was that Lucy Sutton was living in Blackmore with her grandparents, Thomas & Jane Sutton, when they completed the 1901 census. I’m not sure who her mother was. I thought Lucy’s mother was called Sarah but I can find no connection for Sarah to Thomas & Jane Sutton.

My grandfather, Harry Newson, came from Radley Green and he married Lucy Sutton, from Blackmore, on 25th November 1914. The family were definitely living in Blackmore by 1930. I understand that Harry tended to the graveyard (digging graves. etc) rang the church bells and later became a Church Warden. I know that Lucy was authorised to sign marriage certificates as I know she signed the certificate at the wedding of Michael Ovel in 1950.

I am also trying to find out how the family managed the move from a cottage in Blacksmith Lane to the Woodbines in Fingrith Hall Road (a big step). I have heard that the Woodbines was requisitioned by the army during the Second World War and, when released from the army, went on the market for a low price. Have you any knowledge of the history of the Woodbines?

With regard your blog, if you could put my information on the pages it would be appreciated. Do you have enough to go on here or do you want me to find out more?

Regards Sue

Replied
17 July 2010

Dear Sue

Thanks for your E mail. Harry and Lucy Newson are mentioned in Mary Coller’s book, ‘Blackmore My 1920s Wonderland’ (page 22) as living at Woodbines, now a Grade II listed building. For more detail regarding this early 19th century brick building go to http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-373326-the-woodbines-blackmore

You refer to their previous cottage being in Blacksmith Lane, now referred to as either The Alley or Blacksmiths Alley. I believe the local Parish Council is thinking about erecting a street nameplate but does not know its real name. Anything you have on this address would be useful.

I wonder if you have been able to consult sequences of Electoral Registers, held at the Essex Record Office [ERO] , to establish the year in which your relatives moved? A move to larger premises could have followed receipt of a legacy?

There are no Newson burials between 1893 and 1992 but several Sutton burials. I have a copy of the original register, the original of which is currently in the church safe and not in the county archives.

Turning to Lucy Sutton, I noted only male baptisms at Blackmore [ERO D/P 266/1/11] during the course of research into the men who served in the First World War, and likewise the Sunday School Admissions Register [ERO D/P 266/28]. However, I have one photocopied page from the Register and as luck would have it Lucy Sutton is recorded, as being baptised on 2nd July 1893. Her mother’s name should be recorded on the Baptism Register.

I have a link to the Sutton family: http://www.sevenoaksart.co.uk/sutton.htm

A few years ago I undertook an investigation of the history of St Laurence Church. Looking at my notes I find that Mrs Newson was present at a Parochial Church Council meeting on 29th June 1939 which discussed, among other things, “the immediate necessity for darkening the church windows if Evening Service was to continue under war conditions” [ERO A10631 box 1]. No doubt there is much more material in this acquisition box bearing the names Mr & Mrs Newson.

The name Warder was well known in Ingatestone. Eric Warder was a long-term Parish Councillor, and Chairman of Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council I seem to recall. He was also a baker and had a shop (now an Italian restaurant) – where we used to buy Chelsea Buns or Bath Buns - and separate catering firm of renown, often getting jobs for family weddings. I remember one of them at the former Mountnessing W.I Hall in 1978. Oh how we remember the 1970s and the Prawn Cocktail!! Thanks for reminding me of those days.

Regards

Andrew

Footnote: Harry Newson, from Radley Green, Highwood, had his daughter Winifred May, baptised on 4th May 1919 at Blackmore. His profession at the time was 'Soldier'.