|
Handsworth Parish included Perry, Oscott, and Queslett. The manor
covered 3667 acres, and was bounded by Tame, Handsworth Brook, Hockley
Brook, and Park Lane. The two settlements named in Domesday Book
were probably Hamstead and a site beside Grove Brook and St. Mary's
Church, founded c.1200. There were early mills at Hamstead and Old
Ford. Handsworth manor house near church, untenanted from early
C14th. Enclosures took place piecemeal from the early C13th, assarts
like Hilltop, Leveret, and Old Farms, and Manwoods in the C17th,
clearing the waste to the west while the two great arable pieces,
Heathfield and Birch Field, were bordered by pastures like Wilkes
and Browns Green. The wood was steadily reduced, a tiny vestige
surviving until recently in Butlers Coppice. Moated Hamstead Hall,
home of the Wyrleys from Tudor times, was replaced by a new hall
on the valley side in late Georgian times, and survived into the
C20 th . To four mills, three engaged in industry, was added Soho
Mill h was rebuilt by Boulton as Soho Works, 1761. His house Soho
Hall, survives on the hill above, built 1764-89. Watt's house, Heathfield,
now demolished, built on enclosed field: 1793 enclosure, 73 acres
field, 290 acres of common. On Soho Road, turnpiked 1727, tollgates
at Villa Rd, Park Rd. Walsall Rd tollgate at Hamstead/Villa Roads,
1788. Public Offices in Baker St 1830. Soho Rd development, early
C19 th scatters elsewhere.
|
Previous
Index