Doxey in 1830 [1] - Prior to the Railways

 

In 1830 Doxey was a small hamlet in the parish of Seighford just over a mile from the centre of Stafford. It was an agricultural society with two or three farmers (mainly) renting the fields south of the river Sow. The road from Stafford ran through the area going on to Aston and Seighford, fording Doxey Brook where the bridge is today. The line of the road to Stafford was basically the same as today except that there was a'dog leg' around the small stream south of the school where 'Daisy Bank' is now.

In addition Greensome Lane crossed the marshes via a ford over the Sow to Tillington. The line of of the lane can still be identified today by the slightly raised causeway both sides of the railway line. The marshes were grazed when not under water and there were 'Willow' and 'Osier' plantations providing material for fencing and basketmaking. There were also footpaths to Castlechurch and Seighford

Many of the field boundaries of the time can still be followed today; for example the 'Meadow Rise' development is built on a field called 'The Bank' in 1839. Field names are sometimes remembered in House Names 'Far Field' was the the farthest field from the farm, where the Universal Social Club is now.

All the dwellings of the time are still there (although some have been extensively modified)

• 1. Aston Bank Farm

• 2. Brook House Farm

• 3. The White House (146)

• 4. Cottages (144/145)

• 5. Sherwood

• 6. Doxey House (147)

The only other major building in the area was a large barn near where the western end of The Drive is today. There were sand, gravel and marl pits all around the area and the sites of some of these are still visible.

There were also 4 large ponds, one at the present entrance to Doxey fields, two either side of the lane to Brook House Farm and one where the church is today. One of these is shown in a drawing 'Stafford - View at Doxey' by Henry Curzon Allport[2](c1820) now held in the William Salt Library. The identity of the cottage is uncertain – it might be the White House (with a degree of artistic licence !).

Webmaster Note. This drawing is owned by the William Salt Library – we asked if we could display the picture on  this website. They have asked for a £25 fee for this. I feel that this is unreasonable for a community site. So we are not displaying it. However click on the following link to view it.
 

The White House c1820 ?  (search for "Stafford - View at Doxey: pencil drawing")

Description: 'Doxey near Stafford,' showing a cottage among trees. Cattle are standing by a pool in the foreground. Artist: 'H. C. A.,' [Henry Curzon Allport].Date: 1788 - 1855 (c.)

 

The White House in 2005

Doxey c1830 – Enlarged View showing approx position of buildings.[1]

Sources

Tithe Map 1839 William Salt Library

Ordinance Survey Map 1880 Staffordshire

Teesdale's Map of Staffordshire 1832

Misc Documents

• Staffordshire Record Office

• William Salt Library

• Stafford Library

 

Notes

1.The maps give an impression of the area before the first railway was built in 1837. The exact line of the Sow is uncertain as is the line of the road towards Stafford. The footpaths existed in 1880 but may not have done in 1830.

2. Henry Curzon Allport (1788-1854?) was a landscape artist who was active in the Midlands in the early 19^th century. In about 1840 he and his family emigrated to Australia (following his art teacher John Glover who, about 10 years earlier left for Tasmania at the age of 64). He settled in Tasmania and drew some of the earliest surviving views of the area which can now be seen in the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts