1891 Census
Dogsthorpe Rd The Chestnuts
- Thomas Beckett, 52, Draper, born Peterborough, Northants.
- Martha, wife, 46, born Marholm, Northants.
- A. H. son, 26, Post Office clerk, born Peterborough.
- M.P. Beckett, mother, widow, 82, born Heckington, Lincs.
- M.E. Bedford, serv, 21, General servant domestic. born Ramsey, Hunts.
Going back to 1871 the Becketts are at 43 Narrow Bridge St Peterborough.
In 1881 they have moved just around the corner to 8 Priestgate. Thomas and Martha have 4 sons William 14, Edward 13, Alfred 10, and Arthur 8.
In 1901 Thomas is a widower and living in Narrow Bridge St again with his son Alfred 31. He is still a draper and his son is a draper's clerk. Also living with them are 4 servants, 2 dressmakers who work in the business, plus a housekeeper and a domestic servant.
1901 Census
The Chestnuts Dogsthorpe Road
- Richard Payling, 57, Dentist, born in Peterborough Northants.
- Sarah, wife, 49, born Woodhouse, Notts.
- Ellen Ireson, servant, 21, general domestic, born Notts.
In 1891 Richard Payling Surgeon Dentist, is living at 24 Cowgate Peterborough, with his wife and his nephew Harry Staton, 17, dental pupil, and his niece Edith Staton, 18, teacher of music.
In 1861 Richard,17, is living with his parents in Spittal, Peterborough, he is an apprentice dentist, his father is a saddler.
Stamford Mercury Fri 30 July 1909
To be Let
The Chestnuts, Dogsthorpe Peterborough.
To Let, this attractive and convenient RESIDENCE,
with nice Garden and Stable or Motor-house,
very reasonable rent. Near trams.
The adjoining land and Stabling could be added if desired.
Apply Fox and Vergette, estate agents, Peterboro'.
Working my way through the 1911 Census and referring to the 1901 Map, the only house between Airedale and Marylands on Dogsthorpe Road has changed its name from The Chestnuts to Woodbyth.
1911 Census
Woodbyth Dogsthorpe Road
- Walter Stuart Thompson, 44, Builder, born in Peterborough.
- Ethel Frances, 34, married for 7 years and had 4 children all still living. Born Siam Bankok british by parentage.
- Daphne, daur, 6, born Peterborough.
- Stella Mary, daur, 4,
- Sydenham, son, 2,
- Unnamed baby under 1 month old,
There were also 5 servants living in the house, a monthly nurse and 2 domestic nurses, a housemaid and a cook.
From the Guest Book:
Hi, I believe that my husband's Late father grew up in Dogthrope in the 1920's / 1930's and was the youngest son of Walter Stuart-Thompson. They bred champion Elkhounds (the Dogthorpe Elkhounds) of Woodbyth, Dogsthorpe. I would be very interested if anyone knows if their home is still standing and has any further information. With thanks, Ruth
I came across this link to Woodbyth purely by chance. I was looking into Charnwood, London Rd Peterborough, which in 1911 was owned by Charles William Bryant, who at that time was Director and General Manager of an Engineering Works making Torpedo Engines. I worked out this was Peter Brotherhoods.
Wondering about Charnwood I looked up his Probate notice and found by 1935 he was living at Westwood House, Thorpe Road, Peterborough. I then thought I'd see where his son Charles Stanley Daryl Bryant had ended up, so to speak, and found that he sadly died only 6 months after his father, and their probate notices were sequential. Whilst his address is given as Wansford he was at Woodbyth when he died.
It would be interesting to know who was living there at this time.
Purser Family
According to Phone Book records a J C Purser was living at Woodbyth in 1959, and was still there in 1980. I found this was Jack Cobden Purser and his wife Joyce and their 4 children. Read more about Joyce's life.
The Pursers and the Bryants obviously knew each other Mrs Lily Violet Bryant was mayor in 1939 and 1940, Joyce Purser was mayoress when her father Albert William Viney was mayor in 1946. Mr Viney was also a civil engineer at Brotherhoods whilst Mr Bryant was the general manager.
Another connection / coincidence is that although Albert Viney was living at 237 Park Road when he died, the name of the house was Charnwood, the same as the Bryant's original house on London Rd. From telephone directories Mr Viney was living at Charnwood, Park Rd in 1940.
Joyce and Jack married in 1941, and in 1935 when CSD Bryant died at Woodbyth she would have only been 16, which pretty much rules them out from living there.
Woodbyth is now the home of the Drolma Buddist Centre 