Author Margaret Dowland
Table of Contents
- Joseph Gray
- Isaac Temple
- James Pike
- William Wells
- Lee Amis Fox
- Herbert Risebrow
- Colin Snelling
- Reg Pike
Joseph Gray
Joseph was born in Southrepps in 1807 and died in 1856. He was married to Emily Engleson on the 5th Feb 1831 they had six daughters and one son all born in Southrepps. After his death Emily remarried in 1860.
In 1841 he was employing John Bayton as an apprentice who also lived with the family. In 1851 William Dixon was working and living at the forge with the family. William was born in Southrepps.
Isaac Temple
Isaac was born 1820 in Bradfield and died in 1898. His parents John Temple who was a carpenter and Ann (born in Taunton Somerset). He had a twin brother George. Isaac married Mary Ann Brown in 1852. They had no children. Mary died in 1897.
In 1851 he was a master blacksmith living in Lower Street with his parents, there is no record of a forge in Lower St, however he is not shown as the blacksmith in Upper St until the 1881 census. Isaac and Ann are buried in Southrepps.
James Pike
James was born in Aylsham in 1818 died in Suffolk 1900. Married to Eleanor Hall in 1837 they had 13 children. Mary died 1895.
In 1861 he was living next door to the forge, and working with Isaac. He worked with William Wells.
William Wells
William is shown as working as a blacksmith in the census’s of 1861 and 1871 in Upper St working with James Pike. In the 1881 census he is living in Thorpe Rd. Southrepps, so could well be still working at the forge. By 1891 he has moved to Erpingham and is still working as a blacksmith.
William was born in Marsham Norfolk in 1835. He married Mary Ann Ward in 1858. They had nine children. Five girls and four boys.
Lee Amis Fox
He was born 1862 in Roughton and died in Roughton 4th August 1953. His parents were Lee Fox and Phoebe Farrow Pinson. He married Eleanor Bower in 1886. They had three sons. Lee Amies Stanley Fox who sadly died at birth 1890. Then Robert Henry in 1984 and Victor Lee in 1897.
1881 census show him as working as a blacksmith in Roughton. By 1891 at the age of 29 he was living at the post office, in Southrepps were he is the postmaster, blacksmith, and farmer. He continues to be shown as the blacksmith until the 1912 Kellys directory, although the electoral roll shows him as living in Sidestrand.
Herbert Risebrow
Herbert was born in 1867 in Northrepps, he died on the 5th May 1927.His parents were Samuel Risebrow and Phyllis Quinsey Matthews.
He trained as a blacksmith in North Walsham and married the boss’s daughter Harriet Turner in 1890. They had six children of which five survived. Harriet died in 1931.
Colin Snelling
Colin was born in 1885 in Tivetshall Norfolk. He died in 1954 in Southrepps. He married Florence IM Clarke of Depwade, (b1892) in 1915, who died 1932. They had one daughter, Grace Irene born in 1916 died who 1986. As well as being a blacksmith Colin was also a Methodist preacher.
Florence had been a worker at the Wesleyan Chapel.Both Florence and Grace played the organ. They also had a secondary business selling hen and duck eggs to Sainsbury’s. They supported the Church of England Children’s society and running outings from here to visit children in the Sheringham Home. They also ran the Sunday school, organising Christmas parties, summer outings and sales to raise fund for the church and other good causes.
Colin diversified into associated skills such as cycle agent and car repairs and petrol sales.
Reg Pike
Reg was born in 1912 and died in 1996 in Beeston Regis. He married Mabel Culley in 1945. They lived next door to the forge and ran a bed and breakfast with the help of Gracie Snelling. he was the last blacksmith.