duckweed Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I have been researching the house's origin and believe it got its name from Thomas Osborn who was an agent for Farnley Iron Works. Farnley Iron works was later incorporated into Brown Bayleys Steel. Thomas Osborn came from Birmingham in abt late 1850s early 1851 so if I am right and house was built for him it was built around 1850 with later additions in late 19thc when it became a Gentleman's club. Anyone find it on a map around 1850s that would help confirm my theory as 1851 census does not give a clear address for Thomas Osborn in 1851? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmund Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 It seems to have been originally called Lea Wood. Osborn prepared specimens of Fearnley's iron for the Great Exhibition, they seem to have been highly polished shapes such as octagons, square, flat, three square etc. In June 1851 William Addy was appointed agent for Fearnleys in place of Osborn. Osborn died in 1870 after suffering a tumour for 14 years. Maps: Not there on the 1853 map Hell of a garden shed in the back garden in 1890: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckweed Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 In 1895 I have a John Watts Cutlery Manufacturer of Lea Wood Pitsmoor buried at Fulwood. So plot thickens. Who called it Osborne House and when and Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmund Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Osborn House was a hostel for boys released on probation founded through the efforts of Sir Samuel Osborn (Chairman of the Probation Committee). It was opened in March 1944 by the Home Secretary, Herbert Morrison. Looks like Thomas was the wrong Osborn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckweed Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 Thank you. Now all I need to find out is when it was built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckweed Posted August 24, 2014 Author Share Posted August 24, 2014 I think mystery is solved. The House then called Lea Wood House would appear to have been built by the Watts family (John Watts & Co) in the 1870s. As far as I can tell next door was built around same time as was the original St Catherine's Catholic Church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponytail Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Lea Wood (also known as Osborn House) 138 Burngreave Road. I passed regularly on the bus and watched it, empty and neglected, deteriorate to a very sad state. The For Sale gave hope but still no work seemed to be done. The last time I saw it (2016) work had started and there looked to be hope it was going to be rescued and repaired if not restored to it's former glory. I hope it has. October 1991. s29149 https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;s29150&pos=144&action=zoom&id=91470 Side view. s29153 Rear Garden and Extension. s29151 Rear Garden. s29152 Interior. s29155 Ceiling. s29157 Fireplace. s29154 Decorative Panels. s30553 Decorative Wooden Panels, Seating and Fireplace. s30554 Fireplace. s30555 Information from Burngreave Messenger 2002. https://www.burngreavemessenger.org.uk/26nov02/osborn.htm Osborn House Hostel. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/f0885e11-ad56-4965-ac0d-c8ad01c8f062 Mysterious Suicide of Alice Smith in 1922 at the Foreman's Mutual Benefit Society Club, and a brief history of 138 Burngreave Road. https://www.chrishobbs.com/sheffield3/alicesmith1922.htm https://www.flickr.com/photos/0742/4921629294/in/photostream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponytail Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 In the street listing of Whites Directory 1879, John Watts residence is neither numbered nor named, John's named as a clasp manufacturer. In the alphabetical listing: Watts, John, clasp and shoe rivet manufactr 129 West Bar and Soho Wheel, Bridge St. h. Lee Wood, Burngreave Rd. 1864 John Watts and Robert Watts, trading as J & R Watts, clasp manufacturers put in a Flood Claim for workshop held under the Soho Grinding Wheel Company the address of the Claiments was 105 West Bar. https://sheffieldfloodclaimsarchive.shu.ac.uk/claimSummary.cfm?claim=1-273 It appears then that if John Watts built Lea (or Lee) Wood, No. 138 Burngreave Road, it was likely to have been built after 1864. More information from the Burngreave Messenger (December 2002) regarding John Watts and the Foreman's Mutual Benefit Society occupancy of 138 Burngreave Road. https://www.burngreavemessenger.org.uk/27dec02/letters.htm https://themovemarket.com/tools/propertyprices/138-burngreave-road-sheffield-s3-9dh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponytail Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 John Watts born 1729 Lound, Nottinghamshire. In partnership (about 1853) with Brian Bates, as clasp makers, eventually taking over, expanding and utilising a small tennament style factory in Lambert Street. Died aged 66 clasp maker of Lea Wood, Pitsmoor, 22nd July 1895 buried at Fulwood. Left £7,314. Son, John Robert Watts (1859-1939) initionally a clasp maker before developing into a cutlery manufacturer. https://www.hawleysheffieldknives.com/n-fulldetails.php?val=w&kel=1638 Former premises of John Watts (Sheffield & London) cutlery manufacturer, Lambert Street Works. Watts founded 1765 in West Bar Green by Michael Shaw, clog clasp and dog collar maker. 2003. v01818 v01817 2009. t11425 t11424 All Photos, Mary Rhodes. John Watts (London & Sheffield) Ltd., Lambert Street, Sheffield. Assorted business records. (c1877-1980) https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/f18d492a-ec5b-4ba5-abdc-c4d787a7e0b6 https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/John_Watts https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/property/sheffield/lambert-street/ 1 bed flat for sale. Offers in region of £105,000. Listed 24 June 2022. Cutlery Works, 33 Lambert Street Photo. Linley & Simpson, Letting Agent. Link to: Watts Plate. https://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/topic/18482-watts-plate/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponytail Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Link to: A Walk up Burngreave Road. 138 Burngreave Road in a state of neglect. https://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/topic/6095-a-walk-up-burngreave-road33/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopman Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 A penknife by John Watts. 20th Century. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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