BROOMER’S CORNER
No mention found earlier than 1641 when Henry Broomham signed
the Protestation Act (anti-Catholic). 150 Shipley men recorded as
‘taking the protestation’ in presence of a minister, constable or person
of authority. It could be that the fields at Broomer’s Corner were
common land growing broom and gorse, hence the name
“Broomers” derived from making brooms. The Burrell documents
mention sewing furze – gorse and broom – to make faggots to burn
on kilns and fields. Butcher’s broom was used for cleaning butcher’s
blocks; broom for sweeping chimneys.
Henry, son of Richard Broomer, baptized 7 November 1657.
John Broomer buried 10 October 1707.
The 1847 Tithe Map shows two large fields owned by Thomas Killick
near to Broomer’s Corner and several cottages (1043 Tithe Map Ref.)
owned by Henry Brooks – tenants John and James Johnson. John
Johnson’s cottage (1044 Tithe Map) – this was perhaps the Johnson
who brought his wife, Anne Holland (Pin-toe Nanny) for £1/10/0 in
1844? He sold his watch to buy her but Anne only lived with him for a
year, had a child and ran away! This was probably the last case of a
wife being bought (Hickman).
Upper and Lower Rowfields were part of Thomas Killick’s extensive
holdings in the parish. He also owned property and land in Lackeys
Lane (now Hooklands Lane). The1847 Tithe Map shows Lackeys
Farm, Claylands Farm and Wiltshire Farm in Lackeys Lane.
Oaklands is now where previously Claylands Farm stood. Lackeys
Farm and Wiltshire Farm have disappeared.
The Killick family lived at Butterstocks and were active in parish
affairs. There is a long inventory of Thomas Killick’s possessions in
1762.
In 1829 Killick attended a Vestry Meeting on 16 April regarding the
poor of the village. 11 March 1830 he attended a Vestry Meeting
regarding the enlargement of the Church. 27 April 1830 he was at a
committee meeting to establish workhouse regulations.
The present Shipley School was built by the Burrell family on land
given by Stanford Killick in 1860 (Hickman).
As to the cottages at Broomer’s Corner mentioned earlier, Sarsens
belonged to John Adams in 1869, he sold in 1893 and they were
bought by James Johnson, sold again in 1901 to Edward Rarley.
Sold in 1912 to John Alan Moncriff who bought 3 big fields towards
Saucelands 10 May 1912. He sold to Frederick William Lindolde who
sold to William Leeson the land up to Saucelands. 1912 land sold at
Broomer’s Corner as far as Sincox Lane. 1922 Block of land sold
from the corner at Broomer’s up to Saucelands. 1929 George Bryant
and Charlotte Shaw bought Sarsens. In 1943 Elizabeth Shaw sold to
George Bryant and fields. He sold 1946 to Archibald Shaw. Sarsens
– the middle cottage – now belongs to Bob and Anne Mountney. The
cottage has a false front – the old black and white timbered wall being
inside, thought to be c1600.
Bob Phillips and his brothers were evacuated to Sarsens – Mrs
Bryant was then living there – at the beginning of WWII. His sisters
went next door to Mrs Dawes!
On 13 March 1941 a German Heinkel aircraft crashed at Broomer’s
Corner. All four crew members were killed and buried with full
military honours at Horsham Cemetery (Annis).