Althorne, Essex

Jacqueline Oldman

While researching my family history I came across this article in the Eastern Counties Advertiser 18th October 1879. It is the coroner's report relating to my great great grandfather's brother Thomas Brassett 1815 - 1879 an agricultural labourer of Southminster Essex. He was born 2nd August 1871 and baptised 5th August the son of Thomas and Amelia.

Southminster
Found Drowned - On Saturday afternoon an inquest was held at the White Hart Inn, by Mr W Codd, touching the death of Thomas Brassett aged 64 years of age, whose body was found in a ditch early on Thursday morning last, near Plumbro House, on the Southminster marshes. The witnesss examined were Benjamin Boosey and George Sams; but there was no evidence how the man came into the ditch., although the previous evening he was seen reclining on the grass by the side of it. The Jury returned a verdict of 'Found drowned, but under what circumstances there is no evidence to show'. How times have changed!!

Home memories.

I moved into these cottages with my family in 1935 and my parents were there until 1959. Originally it was a barn hence the name 'Barn Row' and was converted into cottages in 1836 as marked in the brickwork on the other side of the cottages. All the time my parents lived there, there was no sewerage and only a stand tap in the middle yard to serve all four cottages. But times have changed and the village has been renovated and one or two new houses have been built.

Childhood

I have many happy memories of my childhood in Stambridge. I lived there with my family for 17 years until I married. Along with my brothers and sister, we all went to Stambridge Primary school and in the summer we used to go to Stambridge Mills where there was a small beach and we could go swimming in the holidays. We walked along to the sea wall and had picnics.  During the long summers we rode our bicycles over to Canewdon and Paglesham. If anyone reading this has any pictures of Stambridge School I would appreciate it if they could contact me to send me copies as I have been unable to find any to show my children. Or of the Royal Oak as it used to be back in  the 1950s.

our wedding

My husband Reginald and I were married at St Andrews Minster Ashingdon at 2 pm on saturday 16 September 1972. The service was conducted by The Rector Rev. Norman Cotgrove. I had 7 bridesmaids in blue,green,lilic,& lemon. Our fathers D.Hayes & L Willis were witnesses .When we came out and started to pose for the photos someone noticed that there was smoke coming from the back of the minster .I dont know if it was a fire in the church or a bonfire behind the church. From the back of the church there is a view for many miles across the country side