Page 1 of 1 Maurice Raraty From: "Peter Giles" To: "Maurice Raraty" Sent: 03 January 2004 10:16 Subject: Re: Filmer House Dear Maurice Thank you for your unearthing this! Most interesting, though a thought does occur---are you possibly muddling Filmer House with Filmer Cottage? That name is that of Stan Wright's house almost opposite, formed from the cottages which housed the bakery and we think maybe the slaughterhouse (the latter in a now demolished building adjacent, perhaps?) It is possible that the Wrights (Stan's parents lived there before him, and he is now in his mid-eighties). The name Filmer Cottage could have been given to the newly combined house formed from the cottages. The reason I slightly question the list is that when examined, the seeming social class of the people does not look right for the size of house, and there appears to be no more than one small family in occupation at any one time, except for the one mention of the parish church curate as lodger. The occupations somehowjust do not quite ring true, although the brewer might well be a man of some means! We know from the long-lived Wright family that Filmer House house had two maids who lived in the basement. We understand from more than one source that for one period this house was a manse—-—presumably for the Strict Methodist chapel sited eventually at the bottom of Filmer Road---Mr Prickett of blessed name and of the corner grocery, now the ‘elite horsemanship shop'—-—used to come to Sunday School here. He died about twenty years ago (?) in his mid-eighties, I think). Of course, it could have been a Sunday School run by the parish church curate mentioned in your list (but I can't re-examine this for this man's date of residence, because I'm in reply mode). Evelyn Haggis (originally Wright) is away at present, but returns soon, and we'll ask her and her father for any more info. they may have. Meanwhile, thanks again. It's all very intriguing! Best wishes Peter ----- Original Message ----- From: Maurice Raraty To: petergi_Ies@fiImer-housefsnet.co.uk Sent: Friday, January 02, 2004 10:30 PM Subject: Filmer House Dear Peter Attached the census info I have. The whole area between the workhouse and the High Street (including the houses now fronting Union Road) was sold off and developed between 1862-1870. If you note the shape of the garden to the rear of what I call the doctors‘ house (Hunters) you can see that it consists of two of those plots, beside the original 18th century garden. Filmer House i think also occupies two plots - built by the brewer, no doubt, who could probably well afford it. I have somewhere a sketch taken from the developers‘ plan of the plots. Best wishes Maurice 03/01/2004 Page 1 of 1 Maurice Raraty From: "Peter Giles" To: "Maurice Raraty" Sent: 23 January 2004 18:27 Subject: Re: Filmer Dear Maurice Sorry not to have replied before now to your very useful latest list. Thanks! I have annotated here and there. --——— Original Message ----- From: Maurice Raraty To: Peter Giles Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2004 9:18 PM Subject: Filmer Peter, Here are some more gleanings from directories, upon which you may be able to hang something: 1904-5 Alfred Foster Boyce, asistant overseerfor Bridge 1907 William Hutchings Wass, collector to the guardians, relieving & vaccination officer & registrar of births & deaths for Barham sub-district, Bridge Union BILL WASS, WHO TILL RECENTLY OWNED AND LIVED IN HIS HOUSE IN UNION ROAD, ALMOST BEHIND FILMER HOUSE, IS NOW IN SAXON LODGE. HE'S SIGNED THE HOUSE OVER TO HIS NEPHEW (CALLED SKINNER). 1911 -- Foord 1915-16 William Foster 1931 Miss Foster, PC Seymour 1939-1940 Miss Foster FOSTER WAS SURELY THE REV? WE UNDERSTOOD THE MISSES FOSTER WERE HIS DAUGHTERS. I THINK THEY WERE THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS. 1949 KCC Health Service (?!) 1949-1955 Layton W Dawes THE PEOPLE BEFORE US, A MR AND MRS BERRY, TOLD US THEY REPLACED THE DAWES FAMILY. WE ARRIVED IN ‘I968. 19/03/2004