Belle Vue - Putney

Profile manager: Lorn Money [send private message]

The goal of this project is to follow the history of a house in Putney. I came across "Belle Vue" whilst researching the ROSS family, specifically my grandmother Ellin Bertha Louise Money (formerly Ross) in the England 1881 Census [Putney, London]. Belle Vue no longer exists but I have found its location and this projects plan is to research all the people who ever lived there [hopefully!]

Old Ordnance Survey Map - Putney 1866

These are published by Alan Godfrey Maps^[1]
The printed map has a listing of houses in each road. The Upper Richmond Road (north side), lists the named villas between Carlton Road and Putney Hill that existed at this time, complete with names of residents. This is the stretch of the road that I am researching.

Census 1871

NOTE: Putney is listed as SURREY on 1871 Census. See District-9, Page 16 onwards ^[2]
No's 1-15 Lime Villas and Prince of Wales pub is shown.
Next, south of the road we have East Limes with the Scott family who are also in 1891 and 1901 Census.
Next up is Letchmere Lodge and Dudley Villas.
Belle Vue is not listed. Houses either side are - Dudley Villas (but not Poole Villas, Eaton Villas or Bell Vue) and then Magdala Villas 1&2 on p17.

Further research shows that Poole House and Eaton Villas were unoccupied so not listed on this Census. They are listed on the 1886 map.

• By the late 1870s the Rawlinson family were living in BellVue. In 1878, Charles Rawlinson (1805 - 1878) , the brother of George Rawlinson was living at Bellvue. He died 23 December that year: "1 December 1884 - The Will of Charles Rawlinson formerly of Church House Lewisham in the County of Kent but late of Belle Vue Upper-Richmond-road Putney in the County of Surrey who died 23 December 1878 at Belle Vue was proved at the Principal Registry by Alfred Rawlinson of Hermitage Lodge Barnes in the County of Surrey Esquire, the Son the sole Executor"^[3].

Census 1881

Census 1881 Putney - District-9 ^[4].
The Ross family lived at Belle Vue in 1881. No house number at this time.
The following family members are listed in the Census...

• Anna Ross (wife- Head of house)
• Edith FE Ross (Daughter)
• Annie Ross (Daughter)
• Susan Ross (Daughter)
• Ellen Ross (Daughter)
• George Rawlinson (Father in Law)
• Annie Stone (Housemaid)
• Mary O'Keefe (Cook)

Census 1891

Census 1891 Putney - District-12 - Page-4 - House No:81 - Shedule-58 ^[5][6]
Belle Vue is now called number 81.

• Schollar, Mary E. (General servant)

There are no others listed so house being cared for at this time.
Note about the translation of the 1891 Census. Mary E Schollar is listed as part of the "Hart" household (no: 77) but on the actual return itself she is clearly shown to be living at no: 81^[7][8].

Census 1901

Census 1901 Putney - District -13 - Page-37 - House no:81 - Shedule-175^[9][10]

• Alfred Thomas Trehearne (Head of house)
• Helen Trehearne (Wife)
• Alfred FA Trehearne (Son)
• Edward S Trehearne (Son)
• Herbert S Trehearne (Son)
• Lilian BC Priest (Servant)
• Lilian Smith (Servant)

Census 1911

Census 1911 Wandsworth - Putney - District -13 - Page-24 - House no: 99^[11]
Belle Vue is now called number 99

• John Bland (Head)
• Sarah Ann Bevans Bland (Wife)
• Mary Louisa Collins (Housekeeper)

Census 1921

The 1921 Census has finally arrived (January 2022). The same family is living at No: 99, John Bland and his wife Sarah Anne. Mary Collins is no longer living here, but William Piper, a male nurse is now listed^[12].

• John Bland (Head)
• Sarah Ann Bevans Bland (Wife)
• William Piper (occupation - male Nurse) born in 1883 in Eastbourne, Sussex, 38 years old in 1921

Awaiting the Census to see what it will contain!

Location of Belle Vue

I am using the excellent London Borough of Wandsworth borough maps, these are crown copyright free to use for non-commercial basis^[13].

The naming and numbering of the houses on the south side of Upper Richmond Road (East) has changed a couple of times. This became apparent whilst checking to see if some families appeared in more than one Census, and looking at their addresses.

The "Hart Family" appear in the 1881 (1, Poole Villas), 1891 (Now called no: 77) and 1901Census (no: 77). The same with the Scott family (East Limes becomes no: 69).
However, the "Price Family" appear in the 1881, 1891, 1901 Census (2, Acacia Villas becoming no: 95) but in the 1911 Census the address has changed (now its no: 113).

Belle Vue, 99 Upper Richmond Road (1930s)

Researching individual histories of the houses nearby, I found this article on the occupant of 3, Acacia Villas: Oates was born at 3 Acacia Villas, Putney, on March 17th, 1880. The street and number were changed to 93 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, on February 18th, 1881. On June 21st, 1904 it was again re-numbered to No 111 Upper Richmond Road, Putney^[14].

Now knowing that 3, Acacia Villas is now called no: 111 on the 1930s onwards maps, Belle Vue (no: 81 in 1891 and 1901 Census) is no: 99 in the 1911 Census - see 1930s Map [1]. I have also cross checked other families that appear in more than Census and this rule still applies (Barnards, Casewell, Elliotts and the Carters, Dacies, Warners, Smiths) to all. A couple of families have moved house it appears, as well.

Pictures & Maps

Upper Richmond Road today (2015)

Note-Google Images may be used, see guidelines here^[15]
These are Google images of the area today. In about the 1970s the southside of the road was completely redeveloped and office blocks replaced the large villas.
This image is facing south, with the Prince of Wales public house on the left. The tall thin building on the other side of the road on the right hand side (with red street sign in front) is no: 101-107 which is next to where Belle Vue would have been.

Upper Richmond Road looking east (2015)

On the north side of the road, the houses are the original ones, numbering from the Prince of Wales (no: 138) to the distant house at the railway bridge (no: 94)

Further Research

There are excellent online mapping tools available, example here of the National Library of Scotland's geo-referenced map^[16] and the Wandsworth Aurora map as previously mentioned^[17]. Both allow historical mapping searches.

East^[18] and West^[19] Putney conservation appraisal reports are a great resource. They show how the areas used to look with maps showing the history of development of the streets. There are some excellent historical photographs that give an idea of the substantial villas along Upper Richmond Road. See page-19, figure 8 & 9 in the West Putney document for a couple of excellent period photographs.

The Railway

A quick history of the nearby station gives a feel of how the area was developing.

The station was opened by the District Railway (DR, now the District line) on 3 June 1889 on an extension from Putney Bridge station to Wimbledon. The extension was built by the London and South Western Railway (L&SWR) which, starting on 1 July 1889, ran its own trains over the line via an eastward-facing loop that joins the Clapham Junction to Barnes main line.

The section of the District line from Putney Bridge to Wimbledon was the last part of the line to be converted from steam operation to electric. Electric trains began running on 27 August 1905^[20]

Image (B/W print) of East Putney Station here^[21]

Sources

1. ↑ Old Ordnance Survey Maps of London https://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/putney.htm
2. ↑ 1871 England Census https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/7619/images/LNDRG10_717_719-0072?ssrc=&backlabel=Return
3. ↑ Charles Rawlinson in the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995. Death Date: 23 Dec 1878, Death Place: Surrey, England. Probate Date: 1 Dec 1884. https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/2798602:1904
4. ↑ 1881 England Census. Class: RG11; Piece: 663; Folio: 21; Page: 36; GSU roll: 1341154 https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=uki1881&indiv=try&h=21044652
5. ↑ 1891 England Census https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/6598/images/LNDRG12_453_455-0027?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=6fd4fd26da873457c83449e1e5c0417b&usePUB=true&_phsrc=rNq44&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&_ga=2.231972758.881723757.1601458690-2092812781.1600805052&pId=11591089
6. ↑ Mary E Schollar in the 1891 England Census. The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891; Class: RG12; Piece: 453; Folio: 59; Page: 2; GSU roll: 6095563
7. ↑ 1891 England Census. The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891; Class: RG12; Piece: 453; Folio: 59; Page: 2; GSU roll: 6095563 https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=6598&h=11581477&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=7619
8. ↑ 1891 England Census https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/6598/images/LNDRG12_453_455-0027?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=6fd4fd26da873457c83449e1e5c0417b&usePUB=true&_phsrc=rNq44&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&_ga=2.231972758.881723757.1601458690-2092812781.1600805052&pId=11591089&clickref=1101lddBr63P%2C1101lddBr63P&adref=&o_xid=01011l4JYM&o_lid=01011l4JYM&o_sch=Affiliate%2BExternal
9. ↑ 1901 England Census https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/7814/images/LNDRG13_490_491-0412?ssrc=&backlabel=Return
10. ↑ 1901 England Census. Class: RG13; Piece: 491; Folio: 22; Page: 36 https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=7814&h=3684680&tid=&pid=&queryId=406c5552552432f004f96fdf5e0e5b7f&usePUB=true&_phsrc=Gde2518&_phstart=successSource
11. ↑ 1911 England Census. Class: RG14; Piece: 2444. https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=2352&gsfn=John&gsln=Bland&cp=0&msbdy=1849&msbpn__ftp=wales%2c+united+kingdom&msbpn=5250&new=1&rank=1&uidh=i5y&redir=false&msT=1&gss=angs-d&pcat=35&fh=0&h=608167&recoff=&ml_rpos=1&hovR=1
12. ↑ 1921 Census: "1921 Census Of England & Wales"
    Archive: The National Archives; Series: RG 15; Piece number: 02502; District reference: RD 26 RS 10 ED 13
    FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 15 January 2022)
    John Bland (73), married, Marine Insurance Broker, head of household at 99 Upper Richmond Road, Putney in Wandsworth registration district. Born in Swansea, Glamorganshire, Wales. Employed by (Retired).
13. ↑ Aurora Maps. https://maps.wandsworth.gov.uk/map/Aurora.svc/run?script=%5cAurora%5cpublic_Historic.AuroraScript%24&nocache=452462000&resize=always
14. ↑ L. E. G. Oates' London house. Episode: 4. Site Numbers: 086, 476. Date Posted: 20 April 1996. Update 8 March 2000. Location: 309 Upper Richmond Road, London SW15, England. Type: Building. http://www.antarctic-circle.org/E04.htm
15. ↑ Google Maps, Google Earth, and Street View. General guidelines. https://about.google/brand-resource-center/products-and-services/geo-guidelines/
16. ↑ National Library of Scotland's geo-referenced map. https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=51.45911&lon=-0.21442&layers=168&b=1
17. ↑ Wandsworth Aurora map. https://maps.wandsworth.gov.uk/map/Aurora.svc/run?script=%5cAurora%5cpublic_Historic.AuroraScript%24&nocache=452462000&resize=always
18. ↑ East Putney Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Strategy. https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/media/1613/east_putney_caams.pdf
19. ↑ West Putney Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Strategy. https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/media/1714/west_putney_caams_final_small.pdf
20. ↑ East Putney tube station- Wikipedia page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Putney_tube_station
21. ↑ B/W print; East Putney Underground station, District line, Oct 1955. London Transport Museum. https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/collections/collections-online/photographs/item/1998-55134

• 1901 England Census in full.
  • https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/7814/images/LNDRG13_490_491-0371?ssrc=&backlabel=Return&clickref=1101ldd5xXgi%2C1101ldd5xXgi&adref=&o_xid=01011l4JYM&o_lid=01011l4JYM&o_sch=Affiliate%2BExternal
• 1911 England Census in full.
  • https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/2352/images/rg14_02444_0000_02?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=835214922f6346bf88b8880cb1da7b02&usePUB=true&_phsrc=Gde2549&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&_ga=2.224617052.772794121.1609262369-1211924828.1604873067&_gac=1.87130730.1608215165.CjwKCAiAoOz-BRBdEiwAyuvA6yL7HBj1-pA3GJ-Bm40htVhDUAZvYmIxVuWQzk1lNErPkNnJV60CjxoCsvAQAvD_BwE&pId=608167
• Alfred Thos. Trehearne in the 1901 England Census. (Class: RG13; Piece: 491; Folio: 22; Page: 36)
  • https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=7814&h=3684680&tid=&pid=&queryId=406c5552552432f004f96fdf5e0e5b7f&usePUB=true&_phsrc=Gde2518&_phstart=successSource
• John Bland in the 1911 England Census. (Class: RG14; Piece: 2444)
  • https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=2352&gsfn=John&gsln=Bland&cp=0&msbdy=1849&msbpn__ftp=wales%2c+united+kingdom&msbpn=5250&new=1&rank=1&uidh=i5y&redir=false&msT=1&gss=angs-d&pcat=35&fh=0&h=608167&recoff=&ml_rpos=1&hovR=1