Myrtle Cottages
Myrtle Cottages are located by Crown Farm which has helped us track their history. The earliest mention we have comes from the Tithe Apportionment record of 1839.
From this we know that in 1839 the property 412 was owned by Francis Betts and its occupants were Robert Sadler and others. Francis Betts was a Stowmarket builder, maybe by the 1841 census this was a new-build semi. The census leaves some uncertainty as to which houses are the cottages but the inhabitants seem to be –
Edward Sadler described as a jobber which was a sort of small-scale dealer. He was about 30. Edward Webb and his wife Charlotte and their 3 children he is also described as a jobber.
The 1851 census is a little more certain but we have –
At no. 2 – Edward Webb (66) dealer in cattle with his wife Charlotte Webb (48), and children Frances Webb (12) , Jonathan Webb (9) ,Susannah Webb (7) and Walter Webb (5).
At no. 1 – Robert Sadler (34) dealer in cattle and his wife Mary Sadler (36) and their niece Tabitha Sadler (13) scholar .
In 1852 the cottages were put up for sale along with the residence and workshop of Mr Francis Betts. At this time the Sadlers have moved on to be replaced by (presumably the Wilden’s)
In 1861 we find –
At no. 2 we still have Charlotte now a widow at 59 , and 3 of her children: Francis Webb son (20) dealer in rags etc , Jonathan Webb son (18) dealer in rags etc and Walter Webb son (14)
The other cottage doesn’t seem to be listed so either it was empty, or the 2 cottages were being used as one dwelling.
The 1871 census shows a change of tenant, the road to as referred to as Stonham Road
2 Myrtle Cott: William Dent (73) Ag Lab with his wife Maria Dent (75) and they have a border John Wilden (84) who is still recorded as working as an Ag Lab .
1 Myrtle Cott : William Dent (43) carpenter , Rebecca Dent (41) carpenters wife and their young children: Charles Dent (9) Scholar , Daniel Dent (7) Scholar Eliza Dent (6) Scholar, Frank Dent (3) , Barclay Dent (2).
In the 1881 census , the location of the cottages is given as “By Crown Farm”
1 Myrtle Cott: William Dent 84, Maria Dent 95 [NL comments wow!]
2 Myrtle Cott: William Dent (53) carpenter, Rebekah Dent (51), and their children: Charles Dent (19) bricklayers labourer, Eliza Dent (16) dressmaker, Frank Dent (13) carpenter , Ellen M. Dent (9) scholar.
From the 1891 census we have the following. The road is now known as Main Road and although the houses seem to be numbered this won’t be the same as todays numbers and more houses have been built since.(NL comment0
57 Main Road (2 Myrtle Cottage); William Scarfe (33) Groom and Gardener , Alice Scarfe (32) wife
57 Main Road (1 Myrtle Cottage): William Dent (63) carpenter, Rebecca Dent (61). Two of their children are still at home: Frank Dent (23) carpenter and Ellen M. Dent (19).
We have 2 newspapaper reports from 1895:
On Tuesday evening, as Mr. William Dent, carpenter, of Stowupland, was returning from Stowmarket, when near the Black Barn, owing to the slippery condition of the roads, he fell and broke his leg. He was accompanied by a friend, who, with assistance, conveyed him home. Dr. Low, of Stow- market, who was summoned, found a compound fracture. Mr. Dent is nearly 70 years of age; he lies in a precarious condition.
Also in 1895 – on Tuesday, Frank Dent, carpenter, Stowupland. was charged with riotous conduct. He had too much beer on Monday, and became very quarrelsome at home. In his violence he smashed some of the things in the house, and Police-constable J. Salter had to convey him to Stowmarket Police-station. He was fined 10s., and 6s. 6d. costs; allowed a week for payment.
In 1901
2, Myrtle Cottage: Sarah Wilden widow (64), Charles Robinson son (42) Gunner 88 R. F.A. (88th Regiment Field Artillery?) and Ellen C. Robertson granddaughter (9).
1, Myrtle Cottage: Rebecca Dent widow (71), Frank Dent son (33) carpenter and Ellen M. Dent daug (26) florist and School mistress board school.l
Ellen was a teacher at Stowupland School (now Stowupland Freeman School) and is mentioned in this sad news report from September 1900:
A pathetic scene was witnessed in the Churchyard of Stowupland on the afternoon of Tuesday, when the burial of a little girl named Alice G. P. Sheppard took place, The deceased attended the Board School in her usual health on Thursday morning in last week, and went through her lessons, with the exception of drill. She went home to dinner, but as she complained to her parents of not feeling wel, She stayed at home in the afternoon, and died about five o’clock. The children of the upper standards, numbering 90, met the funeral procession at the church gates under the charge of Mr. and Mrs. Prentice, Miss Lillistone, Miss Dent, and Miss Sparks. When the mourners were seated, the children sang the hymn ” Young children once to Jesus came.” Two other hymns were also sung by them at the grave. The burial service was read by the vicar, the Rev. George M. Shallard. After the service was over, each child dropped into the grave a bunch of white flowers, in token of love for their de- ceased school-fellow. Many beautiful wreaths were upon the coffin, viz., from the Master and Mistress of the school, the assistants, the school-children, the scholars and teachers of the Congregational Sunday School, Mr. and Mrs. Stearn (of Sheepcote Hall), and many others, all bearing suitable inscriptions.
In 1911 census, although Myrtle Cottages are not named we can locate them as No1 and No2 Stonham Road .
No 2: Charles Forsdike (28) leather belt maker and Amelia Forsdike (23).
No 1. Percy Kerry 28 leather belt maker and Winifred Kerry (23).
They probably worked at Thurlows leather belt factory in Bury Street, Stowmarket. I believe Charles was the brother of the Arthur Forsdike who had The Crown at this time. (NL adds)
A sad news article from 20th July 1921. We do not know the outcome.
In February 1934 we read –
- A. E. FOKSDYKE. Mr. Arthur Edward Forsdyke, aged 53. an agricultural labourer, living at Myrtle Cottages. Stowupland. collapsed and died while at work in field at Mr.
Walter Cubitt’s Croft Farm. Stowupland on Monday afternoon. He had made no complaint of feeling unwell and had partaken of his mid–day meal usual, but about 2.15 p.m. he was seen to fall to the ground, and when his work–mates went to his assistance they found he was dead. Dr. H. S. Gaskell and Dr. J. P. Hill were immediately summoned from Stowmarket but could only pronounce life to be extinct. The deceased man had enjoyed fairly good health during the last two years, with the exception of occasional attacks of giddiness, but for three years before then he had suffered from neuritis and had had a nervous breakdown. A post–mortem examination was held. Many of our readers will remember that for very long period Mr. Forsdyke was landlord of Stowupland “Crown” but left there over five years ago. Much sympathy will be felt for the two eons who are left to mourn.
In the register taken in Sept 1939 for the issue of identity cards at the time of the war the occupants are
1 Myrtle Cottage : Ernest Frederick Coe (born 1875) Butcher (Shop manager) and
Alice Nora Coe (b. 1888) Domestic duties. He may have been the Frederick Coe who on the 1911 census was in Colchester a butchers manager ,born Deptford.
At No. 2 were Mr and Mrs Grimwood
In the 1970’s Richard and Ivy Stevens are living in Myrtle Cottage. Richard was an Agricultural worker.
They had met at Stowupland Chapel where she was a Sunday School teacher.
In 1984 Ivy died.
