Although today there are seen to be two sources of the River Tame, historically three have been noted, the third is now called Ford Brook. We have researchers who would like to look at all three.....
FIRST SOURCE OF THE TAME: Today this is called the Oldbury Arm, and it flows from here through West Bromwich and Wednesbury to meet the other sources near Bescot. For ease it will be called the Oldbury Tame here.
SECOND SOURCE OF THE TAME: Today this is called the Willenhall Arm, and it flows from here through Darlaston to meet the other sources near Bescot. For ease it will be called the Willenhall Tame here.
THIRD SOURCE OF THE TAME: Today this is called Ford Brook, it begins near Bloxwich and flows through Rushall and Walsall. For ease it will be called the Ford Brook Tame here.
ALL THESE join near to Bescot and then continue to flow through Hamstead, Ssndwell Country Valley, Perry Barr, Witton, Aston, Nechells, Bromford, Castle Vale, Castle Bromwich, Water Orton, Hams Hall and then turns north to flow through reltaive countryside on its way to Tamworth and the River Trent. This will just be called the River Tame.
The Oldbury Tame
The Willenhall Tame
The Ford Brook Tame
The River Tame
SOURCE ONE
THE OLDBURY TAME
Sites of interest (can you help by adding information to any of these?).
Bromford Mill (West Bromwich)
The Mill (Abney's, Turton's, Izon's or sometimes Greet)
Sheepwash (sometimes Greet) Mill
Wednesbury Bridge Mill & nearby area.
Wednesbury Forge
Do you think there are other important sites? Email tameppf@gmail.com
BROMFORD MILL (West Bromwich)
TIMELINE
1610: Bromford Mill was bought by William Turton the Younger and used as a 'blade mill', grinding sword blades; the swords would have probably been made and finished elsewhere. In 1620 Turton bought more land including 'Smithie Leasow' where there were 'all manner of pooles, stagnes, waters, lands and watercourses'. A 'leasow' is a pasture, but it's name, and the network of watercourses off the River Tame, suggest that the area had been used by either one or more 'smithies' for some time.
1693: Joseph Carles(s), a Birmingham whitesmith (tin worker), bought the mill and converted it into 'an iron forge or flatting mill'; taking down much of the original mill and enlarging the mill pool.
Mid 1700s: Although the Carless family still owned the mill, it was used by Edward Gibbons for plating and the making of edge tools.
1765: The mill was bought by Abney, a descendant of the Turton's who lived at the nearby Greet Mill. She left the mill to her daughter, Susannah, when she died in 1770.
1772: The Birmingham to Wolverhampton canal, which passes close to the .... of Bromford Mill, opened.
1773: Susannah Abney married Roger Holmes; Holmes wrote to Matthew Boulton to advise him on expansion of the mill, but only a little was followed through. The mill was used for making wire.
1800: Wright & Jesson took over the mill. They were renowned Black Country iron founders and ran other iron forges on the River Tame, such as Old Forge.
1809: Samuel Dawes (after marrying the daughter of Jesson) became a partner in the business, and the firm became Jesson & Dawes. It was at about this time that the site on the Tame would have been abandoned as other forms of power came into play.The iron foundry remained in the Dawes family for three generations until 1887.
1849: The original mill site was still being used by the Izon family (who owned other mills on the Tame), but the construction of the railway (completed 1851) cut the site in half and the pools were drained and used for Oldbury Carriage and Wagon Works.
19th Century: Would anyone like to add this information?
NOTES The company also used Blakeley/Blakely Hall and/or Bromford collieries for their supply of coal. Does anyone have any information about these? Link to a paper about these here.
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| Map from the 1880s showing Bromford Iron Works, the canal (green), and the River Tame (blue) with the approximate site of the original Bromford Mill/Forge on the river. |
DOCUMENTS AT SANDWELL ARCHIVE ABOUT THE BROMFORD SITE (W.B.)
EPH58 1850-1950. Colour poster with an image of Bromford Iron Works on it [owned by John Dawes and Sons Limited who specialised in refined nail rods for Chinese, Indian and Japanese markets]. Poster appears to be missing bottom half.
CB-B/13/2/2/4199 12 Jul 1906. Bromford Iron Co Ltd, building plans.
BS10/7/20 c.1980 - c.1990. British Rolling Mills Limited (Brymill Limited), 3 colour photographs of workers operating machinary and managers signing agreement.
BS10/4/3/3 1980. Book called 'A History of Bromford 1780-1880', photocopy, by W K V Vale. I also have a copy of this book if anyone would like to see it.
DOCUMENTS AT WOLVERHAMPTON ARCHIVE ABOUT THE BROMFORD SITE (W.B.)
DB-31/2/7/2/1 1936-1945. Technical data re: ingot mould design. Includes information on the Pilger Mill Ingot; a table showing types of Mill Ingot Moulds; notes on mould design and casting practice in the manufacture of 22 1/2" round ingots for Bromford Mill; a table showing contraction of round ingots; and diagrams of 'new form ingot mould'.
WEDNESBURY FORGE
TIMELINE
About 1590: Douglas Dilworth estimates construction to be about this time, but then mentions that in 1606 the forge was in a ‘decayed’ state, so the date is probably earlier. In 1597 workers from a different forge (Wednesbury Mill Forge) formed a ‘riotous and unlawful assembly’ and descended on Wednesbury Forge armed with shovels and axes.
1657: Mill rented by Thomas Foley, the English ironmaster and politician, so became part of the large Foley iron empire.
1676: Some of the mill rented by Humphrey Jennens. Jennens was possibly part of the Jennens iron family from Birmingham and north Warwickshire. Later Prof. Johnson notes that John Jennens (Birmingham ironmaster) is involved in the mill, but this could have been another in Wednesbury.
About 1708: The mill was owned by Richard Parkes (another prominent local family), leased to John Willetts, and used as a metal rolling mill. In the 1720s John Willetts junior was a saw-maker. The mill remained in the Willetts’ family, and in 1794 the widow of a Benjamin Willetts carried on the business, owing to the mill pool becoming known as ‘Mrs. Willetts’ Pool’.
Late 1700s: The forge was in partnership between Holden and Willetts and grinding gun barrels.
Early 1800s: The mill was run by Hyla Holden
1817: Edward Elwell, who had previously been carrying on business at Sparrow’s Forge, leased Wednesbury Forge, and erected the long chimney stack. In 1831 he bought the premises which consisted of ‘a forge or iron mill, also a grinding mill which had formerly been a windmill [...] a house, thirteen cottages which had been workshops, but Edward Elwell had reconverted into dwellings, together with adjacent land, a forge pool and watercourse to feed it’.
1839: Elwell advertised his business as making ‘spades, shovels, hoes and edge tools’.
1850s: Edward Elwell junior took over and steam power began to supplement water power. Mrs. Willetts’ Pool had become unused, but it was brought back into use. It later became known as Elwells’ Pool. The forge remained in the Elwell family for the next 50 years.
1902: The last Elwell, Alfred Elwell died and the forge became Edward Elwell Ltd. Water power stopped being used and in 1904 a turbine was used.
About 1920: The pools were filled in.
1970: The site was taken over by Spear and Jackson, making tools.
2005: The site was closed.
NOTES
Edward Elwell opened St. James’ church and school for his workers, St. James’ is about to close. The Elwell’s are also buried at the church.
DOCUMENTS AT SANDWELL ARCHIVE ABOUT WEDNESBURY FORGE SITE
PHS/6 c.1890. Photo of etching of Wednesbury Forge.
PHS/8205 & /8206 & 8212 & /8213 1897. Black and white photographs of the viaduct, Elwell's Pool.
PHS/570 1971. A black and white photograph of the distant exterior view of Elwell's Foundry and Forge, Wednesbury, showing the rooftops of the building from across the wasteland.
PHS/8441 1971. A black and white photograph of Wednesbury Forge, showing the River Tame, with rough ground to the left being the site of the former pool. Looking towards Bescot and M6 by D Dilworth.
DOCUMENTS AT STAFFORDSHIRE RECORD OFFICE ABOUT WEDNESBURY FORGE SITE
D1400/1/6/1 1699. Piece of meadow (3a.) adjoining road from Wednesbury Forge to Tame Bridge (reserving minerals) Copy assignment of term in trust Jennens/Ward.
5350/pp 44 - 45 Nov. 1736. Willets of Wednesbury Forge: treatment of colic; similar treatment for R. Wilkes of Wolverhampton.
DOCUMENTS AT WALSALL HISTORY CENTRE ABOUT WEDNESBURY FORGE SITE
3/1/21 1885. Wednesbury Forge and Elwell's Pool. (From Sheet LXIII. 14).
008273. Book: A lady of Wednesbury forge: the diary of Georgiana Elwell 1868-1869.
SOURCE TWO
THE WILLENHALL TAME
Sites of interest. We need more research into these areas, would you like to help? tameppf@gmail.com
James Bridge Site
Sparrows Forge
SPARROWS FORGE AREA
DOCUMENTS AT SANDWELL ARCHIVE ABOUT SPARROWS FORGE SITE
BS-FHL/1/5/7/3 c.1923. Sale of land to the Wednesbury Corporation of land in Sparrows Forge Road, and Park Lane Wednesbury for purpose of street widening. Bill of Costs.
PHS/1414 & /1415 & /1416 & /1417 & /1418 & /1419 & /1420 1902. Seven photographs of mining subsidence, Sparrow's Forge, Wednesbury.
SOURCE THREE
THE FORD BROOK TAME
Sites of interest. Would you like to add more research to these areas? tameppf@gmail.com
Ryecroft Area
Walsall Leather Trade
RYECROFT AREA
This is being researched by Robert Ginder. He writes: "it appears that there were several old mills on this stretch of the river and also a charcoal furnace, in addition to the later foundries and leather works. While there were some coalmines and ironstone workings, limestone extraction together with sand and clay for brick-making etc appears much more significant. The nearby Ryecroft railway junction and engine sheds were also important features".
ALL THREE SOURCES FLOW INTO THE MAIN
RIVER TAME
Sites of interest (can you help by adding information to any of these?)
Walsall/Bescot Bloom Smithy
Friar Park (Bescot) Forge
Bustleholme Mill
West Bromwich Old Forge
Holford Mill (Witton)
Bromford Mill (Aston)
HOLFORD MILL (Witton)
TIMELINE
(using information from Victoria County History, Grace's Guide & other sources)
1358: The mill is being used as a fulling mill by Roger of Wyrley.
By 1591: The mill was being used as a hammer and iron mill.
1654: The mill was leased to William Edwards of Deritend and John Crooley of Birmingham, grinders, and was being used as a blade mill for grinding edge tools. It seems to have remained in this use for the next 150 years.
1815: Thomas Wilmore, a 'manufacturer of rolled, plated, gilding and dipping metal, wires etc' occupied the mill.
1853-56: Crimean War was of a benefit to gun manufacturers.
1855: The tenant was James Turner, a gun barrel maker, so the mill was probably being used for grinding the barrels.
1861-65: The American Civil War helped support the British gun trade.
1862: George Kynoch took over Pursall & Philip's which had (the previous year) bought land near to Holford for their ammunition works. The business was originally at Whittal Street, but making ammunition was risky, due to the possibility of explosions (one such explosion had occurred in 1959), so the more rural site at Witton was chosen. The business was moved to Witton completely in 1870 and called the Lion Works.
1870: The mill was acquired by Westley Richards (gun makers), an old Birmingham gun making company, as they began making ammunition. In 1872 this was taken over by the National Arms and Ammunition Co.
1888: Holford Mill was sold to Gatling Gun Co., it was then used by Accles, before being abandoned in 1902.
1910: The run-down site was taken over by the neighbouring Kynoch ammunition factory, and became part of that vast site.
DOCUMENTS AT BIRMINGHAM ARCHIVE
MS 3145/16/1 XII century. The Gough family of Perry Hall- Holford Mill.
MS 3145/16/2 XIII century. The Gough family of Perry Hall- Holford Mill.
MS 3145/16/3 1227-1228. Parties: Joan Botetourt, Lady of Welegh, William le Holdere of Honesworth and Bmme his wife and Thomas, son of the said Bmme. Property: One piece of land in Honesworth lying between a tenement formerly of John le Westerne and the highway towards the mill of Hurfiford Holford. Very fine heraldic seal.
MS 3145/16/4 1393-1394. The Gough family of Perry Hall- Holford Mill.
(MS 3558/3 1591. Hamstead. 1 deed: Tipton co. Staff; Wednesbury co. Staff; Great Barr co. Staff; Perry Barr Birmingham; Handsworth Birmingham; Holford Birmingham. This may be relating to mills in these areas.)
MS 3810/132 Trinity Term, 1614. Indenture of Fine: Thomas Holte, knight and baronet, John Wirley esq., Richard Breton' esq., John Huggesford' esq. plaintiffs and Humphrey Wirley esq. deforciant; Property: 20 messuages, 10 cottages, 10 sites, 10 mills, 1 dovecote, 30 gardens 30 orchards, 200 acres of land, 200 acres of meadow, 1,400 acres of pasture, 200 acres of wood, 300 acres of heath, 100 acres of moorland, 40 acres of marsh, 30 acres of water and £4 rents with appurtenances in Purie Barre alias Perry Barre, Great Bare, Houndesworthe alias Handesworth, Holford', Oscote and Hamsteed' co. Staff and in Wilton [Witton] co. war.
MS 3033/Acc 1914-020/252214 20 March, 1654. Lease from Sir John Wyrley to William Edwards and John Crooley, of a mill near Holdford in the parish of Handsworth, for a term of 21 years. What were the trades of William Edwards & John Crooley?
MS 3810/164 3 October 1667. Counterpart of lease for 3 months: Sir John Wyrley of Hampsted Hall co. Staff., knight to Sir Robert Hold of Aston next Birmingham, baronett and William Booth of Witton co. war., esq. Property: a messuage called Holford in Handesworth alias Hansworth co. Staff. together with a blade mill with appurtenances, and a messuage called Barfarme with appurtenances in Great Barr.
MS 3810/150 Hilary Term 1735. Copy of Exemplification of Recovery: William Bernard gent; against Edward Hart, gent., deforciant, being tenant to the praecipe of Humphrey Wyrley, esq., vouchee. Property: The manor of Handsworth alias Hansworth alias Honnesworth, Tibbington alias Tipton, 50 messuages, 3 mills, 1,000 acres of land 250 acres of meadow, 150 acres of Pasture, 50 acres of wood, 200 acres of heath, 100 acres of moor, 50 acres of water, common pasture with all rights and appurtenances in Handsworth, Tipton, Holford, Great Barr, Aldridge, and fishing rights.
MS 3145/64/21 1806. Copy of award of Nathaniel Gooding Clarke to Joseph Webster and John William Crompton against Thomas Willmore for building a weir at Holford Mill.
MS 3727/11 24 March 1900. Copy of report by J. G. Accles of Holford House, Perry Barr, concerning the inspection of cartridges made by Messrs. Kynoch Limited of Lion Works, Witton and supplied to W.D. Houghton of Sankey Wire Mills, Warrington, co. Lancaster. Paper. Typescript.
MS 3727/26 14 July 1900. Copy of letter from J.G. Accles of Holford House, Perry Barr, to Messrs. Hill, Dickinson, Dickinson and Hill of Liverpool, concerning the inspection of cartridges, in arbitration between Messrs. Kynoch Limited of Lion Works, Witton and W.D. Houghton of Sankey Wire Mills, Warrington, co. Lancaster. With two schedules of results, dated 13 July, 1900, attached. Paper. Typescript.
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| Holford House |
C.W. Harding, The Birmingham Cartridge Manufactures (Quiller Publishing Ltd, 2009)
Relevant chapters are: Chapter 3: 'The ammunition manufacturers of Holford Works, Perry Barr, Birmingham 1870-1900' & Chapter 6: 'G. Kynock & Co, G. Kynock & Co. Ltd and Kynock Ltd'
Kynoch
Diagrams showing results of firing tests with cartridges made by G. Kynoch and Co. Ltd., of Lion Works, Witton. Paper. Printed and manuscript. MS 3727/20 8 June 1900
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