The name and date stone record this as being built in 1886. It was built at an obscure angle to fit the plot, this was probably because between it and the next door property to the right when viewed from the front, stood a bakehouse. (See plans below)
23 Station Road. Built 1886. Note the decorative eaves brickwork, stone headers to windows, symetrical sash windows, arched doorway, and stained glass front door.
The earliest reference found so far is in a conveyance dated 27th June 1887, between Alfred Adams (the plumber from No.18 opposite, and probable builder), and Henry Breward, he bought it with a mortgage from The Leicester Permanent Building Society dated 28th June.
Henry b.1835 is recorded in the 1881 census as a farmer and publican at Littlethorpe Lodge, an outlying farm. The 1891 census shows him at Primrose House and he lists his occupation as baker.
Henry’s next door neighbour, on the other side of the bakehouse in 1891 was Godfrey Jones, he is a baker! So did Henry and Godfrey enter into partnership, we will perhaps never know but it looks likely. Certainly things didn’t look too healthy financially because Henry puts further charges on the house with the building society in October 1892, March and September 1897.
A newspaper report of July 1897 relates to the alleged theft from Henry of 3cwt of potatoes from a field belonging to him, we assume then that he still retained some land from his farming days.
Henry died on 16th January 1898, and his Will (in which he describes himself as a baker and beer retailer) proved on 21st February, probate was granted to his sister-in-law Elizabeth Willey, wife of Joseph. Effects amounted to £415 7s. (£67k at 2026 values). He also bequeathed £30 (£5k) to his servant Albert Cooke. All of his property went to Elizabeth.
16th March 1898 sees an indenture of further charge between Elizabeth Willey and the building society, this happens again in March 1904, August 1906, and December 1908. Do you get the impression that being a baker didn’t pay well!
1901 and Mary has moved into No. 23 with her niece Martha Catchside a dressmaker aged 32. Mary is now a baker. They are still there on 2nd April 1911 the date of the census. Mary is still a baker and niece Martha her housekeeper.
2nd January 1911 and an indenture of conveyance from Leicester Permanent Building Society sees the property bought by one, Annie Adcock, then a fortnight later on the 16th, Annie sells it to George Pettifer of Ansty in the county of Leicester for £350 ( 2026 value £59k). The conveyance tells us that the property fronts Main Street, is bounded in the north by land belonging to J? Sharp and on the South by land belonging to A. Green (this is the shopkeeper at No.25). It also states that the property is in the joint occupation of Willey and Catchside. It would be assumed that Mary’s financial difficulties forced her to surrender No.23 to the building society, (having said that Mary appears to retain ownership of the next door property according to the plan) they in turn passed it on to a speculative Annie Adcock who sold with two weeks no doubt for a quick profit.
The purchaser was obliged to erect and maintain a boundary fence or wall 5 feet high between points A & B on the plan.
Conveyance and indenture dated 1911.
1914 Mary Willey dies aged 60.
The 1921 census records Martha Catchside solely occupying the property.
The 1939 register lists Annie Adcock 80 (the purchaser in 1911) as head of household, Martha Catchside 78, and Rose Hignett 70, all describe themselves as housewives.
The sale by Annie in 1911 and yet to find her living there 28 years later is a mystery I’ve yet to work out.
The house was sold to Mr & Mrs Duncan in 1945 at which time I think the bakehouse was demolished.
Access to view and photograph the documents is thanks to Kathryn Bodycote to whom I am grateful, especially for the tea!
Newspaper Clipping from Leicester Journal dated 22nd October 1841. Well before number 23 was built in 1886.
Sources:
As with any local history research continues on this and more information will hopefully be added as it is found, so keep checking for the latest updates. In fact if you can add anything to the above please get in touch via the contact form
