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History of an ordinary road - Hartham Road, London N7

Land probably part of Yseldon Manor, held by the Canons of St.Paul's from the late 13th Century until 1532 by Ralph de Berners and his descendents (from whom the name of the nearby Barnsbury is derived). Their land extended from below High Gate almost to the Angel, Islington. After passing through the wealthy local families of Fowler, Fisher and Halton, the lands were passed onto William Tufnell Joliffe in 1754 (hence Tufnell Park nearby).

1806 - Tythe map showed 'Jacobin Field', approximately on the present day site of Hartham Road. Owned by Thomas Poynder and occupied by R.Trow.

1848 - Tythe map showed Jacobin field of 13 acres owned by Thomas Poynder

1871 CENSUS INFORMATION - Hartham Road under construction. Nos.1-6 were occupied; no.7 was used as a workshop. Nos.37 and 38 were also in existence.

No.1 (now No.85): George Clarke, Groom, Norfolk
No.2 (83): Edmund Dix, Brewery Manager, London
No.3 (81): Frederick Campbell, Silversmith, Middlesex/Islington; wife from Dawlish, Devon
No.4 (79): Gilbert Blight, Clerk, Middlesex
No.5 (77): Emily Firmin, Lady, London (Bath?)
No.6 (75): Washington Downing, journalist, Ireland
No.7 (73): Used as a workshop. An ordnance survey map dated 1871 shows Nos.7, 8 and 9.
A number of other uninhabited buildings were also in existance in the street (possibly foundations?) and 2 stable buildings: Abel Kyledon, Coachman, Norfolk and George Knight, Groom, Stanmore, Norfolk.
No.37 (3): George Day, Builder, Essex, Colchester
No.38 (1): James Keene, Customs Officer, Bath
A Freegrove House is also listed as the home of William Wiggett, Pianomaker, Norfolk (wife from Topsham, Devon. Perhaps she knew Mrs Campbell at No.3? Topsham and Dawlish are separated by just a few miles of the River Exe estuary).

1872 - Extension of tramway. No.46/46a ran along Hilmarton Road, off which runs Hartham Road. Road consists of nos.1-44, plus Hartham Lodge.

1881 CENSUS INFORMATION: Hartham Road consists of nos.1-52, plus stables.

1889 - Hartham Road renumbered; 1-19 became 85-49; 21-52 became 35-1; no.20, Hartham House, became no.37; Hartham Lodge became no.30; Hartham Terrace nos.1-3 became 41-45.

1895 - No.32 appears for the first time.

1912-1913 - Hartham House and no. 39 were the Jandus Arc Electric Co. Hartham Lodge has now become the Bidder F.C. School, Holloway College.

1915 - O.S. map showed road fully built. Hartham Lodge shown as one large building with grounds extending to Hilmarton Road. By 1916 the Lodge has become no.30 and is the North London Operatic Society Tennis Club(!). Frank Purdie listed. Murray Short is Honorary Secretary. Flats 30a and 30b registered.

There seems to be a strong Welsh presence in the area (see History of an Ordinary House and check out the number of Welsh names). This could be due to the locality of the Caledonian market which may have been a first 'port of entry' for Welsh associated with the sheep trade. Welsh language was taught at Hungerford primary school in neighbouring Hungerford Road until 1951.

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