1 oz.James keeping onion; 1 oz.Brown Globe onion; oz. Paris White cos lettuce; 1 pint Scarlet Runners; 1 oz. Adams Early Brocoli; oz.Brussels sprouts; 1 oz. Cocoa Nut cabbage; 1 oz. Red Pickling cabbage; 1 oz. Early Curled Savoy; 1 quart Broad Beans: all this for 14/2. This account was settled on Aug. 9th, when, presumably, much of the produce would already have been harvested and eaten. Gardeners will know that such a collection of seeds represents the cultivation of quite a large piece of ground, We know 'that in 1887 Mr Cottrill was renting a house of Holt Farm at £3.15.0 the quarter, but how large? and how many of these varieties are grown to day, we wonder ?

The enormous range of commodities represented by the bills and receipts confirms stories related by older Studley people in former times local traders were the source of many items that are now obtainable only by travelling to larger centres or shops of spec ial interest, in 1889 Mrs.Cottrill bought 3 hats from Mr. F. .Allen of Marble Terrace,Studley, and in 1891 from W.Humphries at 1 & 2 Marble Terrace (Draper, Milliner, Hosier, Haberdasher & Boot and Shoe dealer) she bought a pair of boots. A year later, back to Allen's for ribbons, hose, hats, both plush and beaver, gloves and elastic. These milliners and fancy drapers are long since gone, together with their Terrace, for such it really was until becoming an Alley (certainly confirmed as such by the coming of the Supermarket in 1983).

F.H.Johnson, Stationer and Newsagent, was also Studley's Post Office in 1883; and an ironmonger and house-furnisher, too. In that year Affifi Lely, engineer, machinist, iron and brass founder, supplied Mr.Cottrill from his Wellington Works in Redditch, with castings, cotton waste, mill-binding and steel. A 'suit to meas ure' was supplied in 1888 by 'The Redditch Enterprise', described as gentleman's tailors and breeches makers, mercers, hatters and hosi ers, juvenile outfitters, contractors for Volunteer Corps, cricket clubs and liveries whose mourning orders could be executed in 48 hours and who made ladies jackets, mantles and Ulsters to measure.

The list of suppliers seems endless. The descriptions attached to many are especially valuable in the contemporary catalogue of goods and services. Some evoke regret at the passing of our railway: Henry Turner was a wholesale and retail coal merchant of Studley Wharf; his receipts bear the circular, embossed legend 'Midland Railway Co. Weighing Machine, Studley'. Needlemaking references abound: in 1892 Cottrill's were paid by John Cottrill for No. 101/2 Crook, bodkins, No.14 sail, rounding of shanks and reducing and cleaning. W.Hall & Co,Studley, are described as successors to: Wm. Lewis & Son, Fletcher & Co., Hy.Clarke & Co., Emanuel Shrimpton & Sons and Wm.Bradshaw -- all of Redditch: A.M.Walker, London, James Pardow & Co., Studley, J.C.Chambers & Co., Alvechurch, Joseph Harris on & Son, Alcester. Earlier, in 1876, Wm.Hall & Co. gave their address as Studley and Ragley Mills, Alcester. Quite a collection of needle- makers, some of the 'founding fathers' of today's monolith.

James Cottrill was a member of Studley District's No. 1537 Loyal Hand & Heart Lodge, which held its meetings at the 'Barley Mow': he was an assistant overseer of the poor for Alcester Union: he was a collector of Income Tax, House Duty and Land Tax for Studley. There is much more.

A 'find' indeed! so much detail about the comings and goings of a family involved in so many activities - its trivia, domesticity, business and manufacture and public service. Gas bills, paper bills, furniture, clothing. All are there for us to see. All will be deposited in the County Record Office at Warwick, a personal archive and a permanent archive : a truly local history.

Alcester & District Local History Society
Spring 1985 Index