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Coleshill History
Coleshill History Project
The Coleshill History Project is progressing well with members
meeting at the Village Hall to exchange information and to tackle a
new aspect of Coleshill history each month. A recent session
included a survey of the eight Coleshill inns and beer houses so far
located, with notes on their owners and licensees. Weller’s Amersham
Brewery featured prominently, and several members found that they
had the name Weller on their deeds. George Weller died in 1929 and
the Brewery, with about 133 tied houses, was sold to Benskins
Brewery for £360,000. The transaction included the Red Lion, Fleur
de Lys, Magpie, Queen’s Head, Plough and Nelson Inns at Coleshill
and Winchmore Hill. The Wellers lived at Rumsey’s, the fine 18th
century house near the Brewery in Church Street, Amersham, and later
at Piers Place at the end of the High Street and at The Plantation,
Amersham on the Hill. These Wellers are not to be confused with the
local builder and property developer, Maurice Harry Weller, who
built or restored several Coleshill properties in the 1950’s and
60s.
Members have also looked at the significance of Whielden Lane as
part of the Reading to Hatfield Road, turnpiked in 1767. The road
was the M25 of its day, linking Reading with Henley, Marlow,
Wycombe, Amersham, Rickmansworth, Watford, St Albans and Hatfield.
The Queens Head may have been converted into a beer house when this
road became better used. There was a turnpike toll collector’s house
opposite the pub in Whielden Lane. It survived until 1929 when it
was demolished for road widening.
The growing Coleshill Archive includes copies of several fire
insurance policies issued to Coleshill residents by the Sun Fire
Office in the 18th century. The company gave each policy holder a
lead plaque to hang on the insured building. This was in the form of
a sun, with the policy number stamped on the bottom. Only one such
plaque has been found in Coleshill to date. The policies are
preserved in the Guildhall Library in London. They list the
buildings covered, their construction (whether brick or timber,
tiled or thatched) and the value of their contents. Individuals
mentioned in these policies include Robert Hailey, John Hailey and
Job Carter (potters at Winchmore Hill in 1727), Benjamin Walker and
John Page, (blacksmiths in the 1780’s), and William Fruin, the then
owner of Porch House Farm. The most interesting policy was that of
Mary Smith, who lived at what is now called The Rosary. She insured
her house for £220 and the household goods for a further £220. She
also and insured her wearing apparel for £93 and her musical
instruments for £37.
Project members are already planning the book on the history of
Coleshill to be published at Christmas 2009. Chapter headings will
include Lords of the Manor, Farms and Farmers, Inns and Innkeepers,
Potters and Chair makers, the Turnpike Road, Church and Chapel,
Schools and the Parish Council. The Group’s next meeting will be at
the Village Hall on Tuesday 18th March at 8.00pm.
Peter Lawrence
Hampton House, Chase Close or tispml@tiscali.co.uk or 01494 727207
If you have
any photographs or village history that you would like included on these
pages, please click here to contact us.
All pictures will be returned.
Click here for a short history of
Coleshill by John Chenevix Trench
Click here for historical
pictures of Coleshill
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