Old Stratford - Page's smithy and coach builder's shop

Victoria County History Northamptonshire

As well as the usual village tradesmen, including a blacksmith from at least the mid 18th century. Despite the decline in long distance road travel, there was also a coach building business in Old Stratford from the 1870s until about 1906, owned successively by John Page, William Judge and Thomas Page. In 1910 Page was listed merely as a wheelwright, although when his premises were sold as part of the Passenham Manor estate the following year they still included a coachbuilder's shop.

Crossroads Old Stratford - looking from what was the Northampton road into Buckingham road.
The smith's shop shown on the right in the Buckingham road,
behind the white house facing the Walting street.

Position of the smith' shop

Year Name Age Occupation Born County
Census 1851 William Page 32 Wheelwright Maids Morton Buckinghamshire
Census 1861 William Page 44 Wheelwright Maids Morton Buckinghamshire
Census 1871 William Page 52 Wheelwright & Smith Maids Morton Buckinghamshire
Census 1871 John Boughton (nephew) 20 Wheelwright Old Stratford Northamptonshire
Census 1881 William Page 63 Wheelwright Maids Morton Buckinghamshire
Census 1881 Thomas Page 39 Wheelwright Old Stratford Northamptonshire
Census 1881 Edward Atkins (servant) 24 Wheelwright Stony Stratford Buckinghamshre
Census 1891 William Page 73 Wheelwright Maids Morton Buckinghamshire
Census 1891 Thomas Page 48 Wheelwright Old Stratford Northamptonshire
Census 1891 William Page [junr] 16 Coach Builder Stony Stratford Buckinghamshire
Census 1901 Thomas Page 57 Coach builder & Wheelwright Old Stratford Northamptonshire
Census 1901 William Page (son) 35 Coach Painter Northampton Northamptonshire
Kelly's Directory 1903 Page Thomas & Son wheelwright & carriage builder
Kelly's Directory 1906 Page Thomas & Son wheelwright & carriage builder
Kelly's Directory 1910 Page Thomas & Son wheelwright & carriage builder
Census 1911 Thomas Page 68 Coach builder & Wheelwright Old Stratford Northamptonshire


The Northampton Mercury July 14th 1911

Passenham Manor Estate Sale

Old Stratford lots only

An important sale took place on Friday afternoon at the Cock Hotel, Stony Stratford, when the estate of Passenham Manor, situated in the parishes of Passenham and Potterspury was offered. The estate comprises the Manor House, with charming gardens, pleasure grounds, and capital stabling; also several well-cultivated farms and holdings, including the Manor Farm, Passenham Mill, Old Stratford Farm. North-field’s Farm, and Puxley Grange Farm, the whole comprising about 839 acres 2 roods, let to good tenants at rentals amounting to £1,224 10s. per annum. There was a very large company present, but bidding was slow, and only four lots found purchasers.

Lot 1 consisted of the valuable freehold corner property in Old Stratford, comprising a stone-built and slated dwelling house, a stone and tiled shoeing shed, and blacksmith’s shop, with two hearths, outbuildings, garden, and small accommodation pasture field 3 roods 32 pols and was knocked down for £380.

The Northampton Mercury November 4th 1854

TO WHEELRIGHTS AND OTHERS.
OLD STRATFORD
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
By Mr. DURHAM,

On Thursday, the 9th day of November, 1854, on the premises (by direction of Mr. Page.) A Quantity of good, well-seasoned WHEELWRIGHTS STUFF, in Oak, Ash, and Beech PLANK, HUBS, SHARFTS, Pick Shafts, Swelltrees, &c., &c., good Oak Roll Frame, &c.

Sale will commence at 12 o'clock.

The Northampton Mercury November 25th 1854

Mr. William Page's Assignment. Notice is hereby given, That WILLIAM PAGE, of Old Stratford, in the parish of Passenham, in the county of Northampton, Wheelwright and Blacksmith, hath by Indenture dated the Fifteenth day of November, 1854, Assigned all his personal estate and effects unto Frances Revill, of Stony Stratford, in the county of Buckingham, Ironmonger, and George Dickins, of Old Stratford, in the parish of Cosgrove, in the said county of Northampton, Baker, upon certain trusts for the equal benefit of themselves and all other creditors of the said William Page who shall execute or assent to such assignment within three calendar months from the date thereof.

The Northampton Mercury November 25th 1854

HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE,
WHEELWRIGHT’S STOCK-IN-TRADE, TOOLS,
BLACKSMITH’S TOOLS, BELLOWS, &c.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION.
By Mr. Durham,
(under an Assignment for the benefit of Creditors)

On Monday, the 27th November, 1854, on the premises of Mr. PAGE, at OLD STRATFORD, Near Stony Stratford;
COMPRISING the usual description of HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, well-seasoned WHEELWRIGHT’S STUFF, of every description. The whole to be sold without reserve.
The Sale will commence at Ten o’clock.