Society today is much more mobile than in previous centuries. Many of my ancestors spent generations living in the one place, setting down deep roots in a place and a community.
The Argent family can be followed through the census records with both father and son listed as living at Newbridge Mill, West Bergholt in the 1841 census. By the 1851 census John Jr has taken over the mill from his father and is listed as a miller and farmer of 100 acres living with his wife Emma, son John and daughters Emma and Ada, as well as 2 servants. The same census lists John Senior as Miller and Farmer living in Crouch Street, St Mary at the Walls, Colchester.
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| Newbridge Mill, West Bergholt |
John Thompson Argent continues to be listed as Miller and Farmer at Newbridge Mill in the 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891 censuses, running this business until his death on 22 January 1894. To this family, Newbridge Mill was a place that mattered.
My Green ancestors had even stronger ties to Fordham Hall (also called Manor Farm) in Essex, being tennants at the Hall for several generations. Although they were not the owners, they were major local landholders and were the gentry of their small community.
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| Fordham Hall, Essex |
The Green family of Fordham Hall farmed the land, kept a pack of
foxhounds,and took part in many community events. The article below,
from the 'Essex Standard' on Friday 13 October 1837, mentions Isaac
Green of Fordham as one of the judges at the annual meeting of the local
Agricultural Society.
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