6 Charnham Street

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Summary:

Building date uncertain, but thought to be 1866-69, as the Methodist Manse.

Photo Gallery:

20151128 img_5697

- 6 Charnham Street, November 2015.

Timeline:

1841 Census: This shows no entry between The Lamb and the Lodging House called Kennet Cottages (with 27 occupants(!) very near the river bridge).

1851 Census: This includes entries that appear to match what are now 9-10 Charnham Street (built by Richard Gibbons with his new iron works), but no entry for No. 6 nor for nor 7-8.

1861 Census: This appears to include entries for 9-10 Charnham Street, and 7-8 Charnham Street, but not apparently for a dwelling corresponding to 6 Charnham Street.

1866 Land bought (for £500) by the Methodist Church for a manse for the Wesleyan Church, which was to be built on the opposite side of Charnham Street in 1868. "Xmas 1865. Special efforts to raise a fund to purchase house for Minister began. Banquet realised £50. Cards issued for subscriptions by end of October about £330 was raised including donation of £100 from J Morley Esq. £20 from W Somerville and £10 from J P Evans (both from Bristol). Manse bought for £500 Nov 1866. £200 borrowed from Mr Joseph Buckeridge at 5%. The interest to be paid by the Minister until the money be paid off." I think the writing at the top of the notes say that the minister from Oct 1865 - Oct 1869 was Gt Wallace?

So, it appears that what is now 6 Charnham Street was built c.1866-69 on land acquired in 1866 (either from The Lamb or from the Athertons?), in readiness for use as the manse when the chapel opposite opened in 1869. It appears to be built abutting onto the side of 7-8.

However, there is still some uncertainty regarding the 1871, 1881 and 1891 censuses. Further research is currently underway (Aug 2021).

1871 Census: No entry corresponding to the Methodist manse. Only to "Lamb Yard" (see under 5 Charnham Street)

1881 Census: Still no entry corresponding to the Methodist manse. Only to "Lamb Yard" (see under 5 Charnham Street)
     (from east to west):
     #98: Sarah Atherton (7 Charnham Street)
     #99: "Lamb Yard": James Riley (75), iron moulder, wife Ann (70), 1 grand-son.
     #100: "Lamb Yard": Sidney Smith (34), labourer fish keeper, wife Fanny (32), 5 daughters.
     #101: "Lamb Yard": Uninhabited.
     #102: "Charnham Street": Alfred Bond (49), shoe maker, wife Emily (45), 2 sons, 1 daughter.
     #103: (?lodging in part of Alfred Bond's dwelling): John Thorne (22), ironmonger's assistant.
     #104: Lamb Inn

1891 Kelly: Rev John Samuel Haggett [Congregational], Charnham Street (not confirmed as 6 Charnham Street)

1891 Census:
          #92: Denning (8 Charnham Street)
          #93: Edmonds (7 Charnham Street)
          #94 - #96: Lamb Yard
          #97 Harding (Mineral water manufacturer) 
          #98 "Lamb Inn"
          #99 "Retreat Cottage": Nelly Belcher (37), laundress, 4 daughters, 1 worker.
          #100 "The Retreat": Joseph Dredge (49), retired auctioneer.

1894 Charnham Street Floods: Marlborough Times of 17th November 1894 reported "...the inhabitants of the houses between the Bear and Mr. Gibbon's Iron Foundry were, if anything, in a worse plight. Mr Pinchen's house near the Fire Station was flooded, as was also the Engine House. Mr. Skinner's shop and dining room had nearly 2ft. of water in them, and boxes and confectionery bottles were floating about. The whole of Faulkner Square was under water, and had the appearance of a large lake. All the houses in the square were flooded, and the inhabitants had to remove upstairs, provisions, where needed, being drawn up in baskets. Mr. Hidden was a considerable sufferer, as to carpets and furniture. Mr. Edmonds and Mr. Pearce had their underground kitchens invaded, and as their supply of provisions and fuel were in them, they were cut off from food and firing. In the houses of Mr. Wren and Mr. Gibbons, the water rose to a great height, and the fire in the grate at Mr. Gibbons's was put out. Mrs. Withers, too, at the Red Lion Inn, had a terrible time of it, and the houses of Mr. Andrews, Mr. Lamsden, Mr. Buxey, and Mr. Joyce were also flooded."

1895 Kelly Dir: Rev Joseph Peters Yates (Wesleyan), 3 Atherton Villas, Charnham Street. (Note: This is the only reference thus far to 3 Atherton Villas. Site yet to be confirmed)

1901 Census: "Avonside": Albert Fentiman (59), Wesleyan Minister, and his wife, 2 sons, 1 daughter and 1 servant.
1903 Kelly: Rev Albert Fentiman (Wesleyan Methodist).

1905 Indenture: Three houses (6, 7 and 8 Charnham Street) were owned by the Wesleyan Methodist Church Trustees.

1906 Cosburn's Dir: Rev J B Gedye, Wesleyan minister, Charnham Street.

1911 Census: #115: "The Manse": Arnold Hubberd (31), Wesleyan Methodist Minister, wife Mary (24), 1 son, 1 mother-in-law, 1 servant. 9 rooms.

1916 Cosburn's Dir: Rev H W Wade, Wesleyan Minister, Charnham Street.

1920 Kelly Dir: Rev Leonard S Shutter, (Wesleyan), Wesley Manse, Charnham Street.

1939 Blacket's Dir: I A Bennett
1940 Blacket's Dir: I A Bennett

1946 Correspondence (in book of letters received on the 150th Anniversary of the old Methodist Chapel in Chilton Foliat, August 1947 - in the HHA - Jack Williams Collection) gave this address as Rev. Donald Collier, "Wesley House", 6 Charnham Street.

1946 (DD) Refers to one property (6 Charnham Street) owned by the Wesleyan Methodist Trustees.

1970 The Methodist Chapel closed.

Private residential use since.

1971 (DD) Sold 18 Jan 1971 by the Trustees to Mrs D V Hart.

1980 Bought by Robin & Anna Dunn.

1991 Bought by Graham & Caroline Ness.

Key to sources:

DD = Deeds and Documents held by Graham & Caroline Ness.

See also:

- Wesleyan Chapel, Charnham Street

- Charnham Street floods, 1894

- Charnham Street floods, 1932

- Notes on 6 Charnham Street, HLP, 12th August 2021.