Wigan Album

What a lovely photo..it really depicts old England when life was so simple..in spite of having to work hard for a living.

Don't know where it is / was, but it's a great picture.

To be honest I have my doubts that this is SWINLEY in Wigan? I have searched a Gazateer but can't find another SWINLEY. listed. If it is Wigan then it must be near a brook or stream Maybe a look at an old map may clarify where it is???

"Bliss,

Ron,
I share your doubts. The brook, or stream, seems to be in a valley, which adds to the confusion.

Could it be Whitley farm?the bridge over the stream is still there

I agree with you Maureen, but it sure is a wish for. Wonderful Ron, thankyou . Certainly a before and after picture if ever it can be pinned down exactly where it is.

There were two farms in the Swinley area, Swinley Hall Farm and Whitley Hall Farm. Swinley Hall Farm was, or so as I was once told, around what is now Swinley Lane and Whitley Hall Farm was near to Old Lane.

There's a Swinley near Ascot and there's also a Swinley Farm in Wigan and the same in Chippenham

Peace , perfect peace ,

Peace , perfect peace ,

I agree with you Maureen, but it sure is a wish for. Wonderful Ron, thankyou . Certainly a before and after picture if ever it can be pinned down exactly where it is.

http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/communicate/mb_message.php?opt=f3&opt2=&msd=443938&offset=2160&subject=Swinley Hall Farm, Wigan

There is a stream running down the rear of the houses on Swinley Road below the church.It is now compleatly hidden underground.

1881 census shows Swinley Farm and a Swinley Hall, Wigan, as different dwellings. James and Hannah Finch lived at Swinley Farm with five children. The census enumerator followed the route - Earl Street, St Michaels School, Swinley Hall, Swinley Cottage, SWINLEY FARM occupied by James and Hannah Finch and family, Swinley Lane Road, Swinley Lane, and Swinley Road. These would have been the farms nearest neighbours in 1881. James was a mine manager.

This reminds me of Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie. But as its Swinley, its got to be Prater Pie with Elsie!! LOL
Nice photo again Howard Carter!
Footnote for readers.
Thats my nick name for Ron...he's always digging up old relics!

Ha ha Gio. You're correct, at one time I used to go digging for old bottles. Victorian not Egyptian though.

Was there any alcoholic content in them Victorian bottles Ron? LOL

What are the origins of the photo? Is there anything at all to suggest its was taken locally? `Swinley` could refer just to the name of the photographer, back then it was common to add your name to photos, a rudimentary form of copyright I suppose.

You're right about the stream at the rear of Swinley road George, Charterhouse Scout Hut was behind the house that we once lived in along there, when they demolished the original wooden hut to replace it with the new brick built one they uncovered the stream underneath, it was then just covered over with flags, but a proper culvert had to be put in place before the new building could be built, it's said to originate from the spring that was at the top of Swinley road and leads into the River Douglas close to Crompton Street. Another stream that was culverted is situated on Whitley Crescent and ran alongside the one time Wigan Girls High School and then known latterly as Whitley High School, this then runs through Beech Hill to the river Douglas, Culvert street is named after this culvert.

I am just reading a will of
Mary Alexander
Record Type: Will
Probate Date: 1736
Residence Place: Swinley Farm Kington St Michael Wiltshire, England
Reference Number: P3/A/346
cant verify picture tho'

My mistake. I find that Mary Alexander widow died intestate at Swinley Farm her spinster daughter Martha the executrix-Probate 3 May 1736 Chippenham