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Abbey Farm
Abbey Farm House.
c1950s
This 18th Century brick built farmhouse, usually referred to as Abbey House or the 'Old Abbey', stood in Abbey Street until it was demolished in 1966, the only reminder being a small section of the perimeter stone wall by the new Library which occupies part of the site.
No 'Abbey' existed here, but there are some tentative connections to an abbey in the Midlands owning a parcel of land here.
Thomas Griffin was mentioned in 1871 census as a Grocer, living at Abbey House, he farmed here in 1881, he went into liquidation in 1881.
In 1939, Joseph J. Baker lived at the Abbey farm, occupation described as 'Miner-pikeman-underground-heavy worker'. [1939 Reg.]
Library with remains of the Abbey Farm perimeter wall on left.
photo CDM 2014
1860: Sale notice, Wolverhampton Chronical, April 4th.
PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT
SALE OF VALUABLE BUILDING LAND
PART OF THE ABBEY ESTATE, AT LOWER GORNAL
IN THE PARISH OF SEDGLEY
Mr. Bateman, begs to announce that he will OFFER FOR SALE by AUCTION, the latter end of April, on a day and at a place to be hereinafter named, upwards of fifty lots of valuable FREEHOLD BUILDING LAND, having excellent frontages to the main road leading from Lower Gornal Church to Cotwall End, being part of the Abbey Estate, situate at Lower Gornal, in the parish of Sedgley, in the county of Stafford.
1921: Journal - Farmer & Stock Breeder, June.
Serious damage was caused by a fire which broke out in a large barn on the Abbey Farm, Gornal Wood, Staffordshire, in the occupation of Mr Caens W. Griffin.
The Dudley Fire Brigade were handicapped by a lack of pressure of water!
The cause of the outbreak is supposed to be due to the fact that the straw ignited spontaneously.

1880: Newspaper notice: Dudley Herald, January 17.
To Let, at Lady-day next, the ABBEY FARM situate at Gornal Wood, in the parish of Sedgley, consisting of 27 acres, or thereabouts, of Turf and Arable Land, large House, Barn, Stabling, &c.
The House is suitable for Butchers Bakers, Grocers or Cornfactors. --For further particulars apply to G.Griffin, surveyor &c., Castle View, Dudley.

1880: Subsequent Farming Stock sale, February 28.
Important sale of FARMING STOCK, at the Abbey Farm, near the White Chimneys at Lower Gornal on Tuesday, March 2nd, 1880.
Mr. J. WHITEHOUSE has been favoured with instructions to SELL by AUCTION, on the above date at the Abbey Farm, Lower Gornal, belonging to Mr. John Harris, who is giving up the business, the whole of the Valuable Live and Dead FARMING STOCK, comprising Bay Horse, 6 years old, 16 hands high; Dark-brown Mare, rising 4 years, 15 hands 2 inches; Several sets of Long and thiller Gears; Two Strong Carts with Thripples; Light Spring Trap; Rick new Hay (12 tons); Rick Barley Straw (to go off); Rick Vetches and Oats (about 4 tons); Several Pairs Harrows, Land Rolls, Scuffles, Ploughs; 20 store Pigs; 200 tons Manure, Heifer in Calf, and a variety of other effects belonging to the business; also same time and place several valuable Dray Horses, Broad Wheel Wagon, Drill and Winnowing Machine.
1945: Dudley Herald.
65 Years In Mines.
Believed to be the oldest miner working at the coal face in the Midlands. Mr. Joseph J. Baker of Abbey Farm, Gornal Wood, has just started in his 65th year in the mines. In his 77th year, Mr. Baker holds the record for attendance at his mine for the last 12 months, not once having been absent on any working day.
In April, 1914 Gaius Wilkes Griffin of Abbey Farm was summoned for selling milk deficient in fat, he was the son of Thomas Griffin.
The small farm on the Ellowes Estate was also called 'Abbey Farm', so some confusion exists.
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this aye fur noggin yeds