X64 Shrewsbury To Market Drayton

[Kenya Ahyet]

Iam seeking any information whatsoever on a Mr PRICE of Red Bank House on Red Bank Road in Market Drayton, who lived there during the 1930s.

His full name is particularly what I am after. The spelling of his surname I am unsure of, as I have only ever heard of him anecdotally, never written.

My association with him is that my Grandmother's aunt, Ada ERWIN, was his housekeeper at this time. I have a glorious old photo album choc full of photographs of happy times with Mr Price and his family/friends at Red Bank House, as well as some lovely photographs of Market Drayton. There are a great many photographs of people with cats and kittens, adults and children alike.

The name "Cyril" is mentioned on the back of a photo of a smart young lad in his cricket whites. Also, the album is dedicated to Ada, from a good friend, Dora. Do these names ring any bells?

We know so little about the content of the photographs, as Ms Erwin, Mr Price's housekeeper, was a spinster and had very little family.

My Grandmother moved to Australia in the 1960s, so I have always lived in Oz, but I will be in the UK at the end of this May on a grand family history tour, visiting archives and places of genealogical relevance. Any information would be most appreciated, and I am happy to share some of the lovely old photographs too!

Have no connection with Price/Pryce family, or access to old directories. But if you are planning to visit the pleasant market town of Market Drayton, I have two suggestions: the local museum and resource centre at 53 Shropshire Street in the centre, is likely to be useful and has helpful volunteers with a range of resources (see: :20060807122254 ); if you "Google Earth" "Sunnyside, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9" then jump into "Streetview", you will see a white-painted property consistent with the period on the corner of Red Bank Road/Sunnyside, which I believe may be the former Red Bank House. The area is now much changed (now surrounded by modern houses), from the 1900 Ordnance Survey map I have showing its location.

I am the admin of the Drayton Crier Facebook page which has now become the local forum page covering the town of Market Drayton and surrounding areas. I have around 4600 users on the site now 95% of which reside in the town or local area so it is a great way to find out local information. I also run a number of other pages including Drayton memories which has many many old photos of Market Drayton from the later 1800 onwards.

I only live around 300 yds from Red bank house! but cant help you with the information as such but will certainly see if I can get our local museum to help. I see you have some old photos of Market Drayton. Would it be at all possible for me to take a high res photo of them and post them on my Drayton Memories page please. I will also put a request out on the Drayton Crier for the information you are requesting re Red bank house . Hopefully someone one the Crier will be able to assist you. Looking forward to your feedback

I have found the property via Google Earth street view (it is wonderful for family history detective work, when you live abroad), and it is certainly the house in my photographs. Good detective work there yourself David ;)

That's great to hear! I will friend on FB, and send you some of the pictures. I hope I can find out more - Mr Price and those at Red Bank House were, in many ways, her only family, and she had good times in Market Drayton.

Mr Price was a Mr Samuel Bennett Price born 1866 in Birkenhead, Cheshire and died 1947 at Common Edge Institution in Market Drayton (same year and place as Ada). He never married and was a musician. He had done some work for shippping companies over the years.

HI Radhika

Good news having sent the request out to some 4600 local users of the Drayton Crier page, I have had a great deal of success. The local library whizzed into action and came up with some info and more was coming in last time I looked. The info so far is contained below hope its of use. If I could possibly have copies of some of the old photos (digital format) that would be superb. I will load them onto the Drayton Memories Facebook page. If you would like to join us on our local forum please search for Drayton Crier. and I will make you a friend so that you can post. The info collected so far by friends on the crier page :-

I've looked through the records at Market Drayton Library. Can you please let your friend know that the name of Mr Price is Mr Samuel Bennett Price. He is listed at that address in the Kelly's Directory in 1934 and 1941. Your friend can contact the library directly via email marketdray...@shropshire.gov.uk if needed. Thanks.

Bit more info,, Ada Margeruite Erwin of Red Bank House , Market Drayton , Shropshire, Spinster died 16 February 1947 at Common Edge Institution. Probate London 15 August 1947 to Claude Leopold McDonnell retired photographer and Emily Williams Spinster , Effects 3105.3s.1d

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