magpie patrick Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 Laurence, That is a fascinating history, and one which I, and I suspect many others, were completely unaware of. I did not know of the name "Wigram's" until recently, and had wondered where it came from. To get such a comprehensive answer from you is a revelation. Thank you, thank you, and thank you again. It is these things that make the history of the canals, and of all localities, so rich. I for one would support a cause to get the Wiggerham name recognised at the locality, and something to let this piece of history be known. Would anybody join me in this? Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeping Up Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 It is truly wonderful to read this post Laurence. I'd lend my support to your endeavours, Patrick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted November 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Thirded. Nice to hear the real story, and I think any of those that involved themselves in the "instant genealogy" on here would have been very willing to admit we were only guessing at what might be the case, without a full set of evidence. I suspect trying to change the the name from it's distorted form may prove a challenge, but good luck with it anyway. Thanks for posting this lovely account. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek R. Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Excellent detail. May I join in thanking Laurence Wiggerham for supplying. In that simple function, the name of 'Wigrams' whenever heard, can now be related to the true origins of the name, the family, and their occupation that much is certain. As to whether it will be changed from 'Wigrams' to Wiggerhams is less likely, originating as it almost certainly has from local dialect and a lack of knowledge of spelling which has in itself become history in the vernacular, rather like 'Starrupsend' being returned to Star Tops End, and 'Maffas' Marsworth - but the knowledge is now more complete - many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy-Neil Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 (edited) I've known it as Wigrams for best part of 30 years along with the folklore behind its origins. Much at it's nice to know the truth behind the tale, it should definitely keep the vernacular in my book, though I'd have thought it would have been boatmans dialect rather than the local.... Short of any official recognition its the boatmen who have perpetuated the the name. Edited November 25, 2008 by Hairy-Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Thank you Laurence! How did you come across this web site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlt Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 (edited) Thank you Laurence! How did you come across this web site? If he's researching his family tree it probably pops up quite high on a Google search. Edited to say: Just checked and it's number 10. Edited November 25, 2008 by carlt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek R. Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 I've known it as Wigrams for best part of 30 years along with the folklore behind its origins. Much at it's nice to know the truth behind the tale, it should definitely keep the vernacular in my book, though I'd have thought it would have been boatmans dialect rather than the local.... Short of any official recognition its the boatmen who have perpetuated the the name. You're correct, I should have qualified 'local' a bit better. 'Cut' vernacular would have been more appropriate. I wonder if the locals who lived thereabouts knew his homestead as anything different. If John Wiggerham carried out medicinal practices around and about, and with eight children to boot, I'm sure he would have been known as Mister or even 'Dr.' Wigg'rham by the agricultural population, hardly any step at all to abbreviate - especially in speech - to 'Wigram', and certainly not out of disrespect to his full name. In fact, I don't reckon there would have been a cats chance in hell of him being called anything but 'Wigram'! Thinking of the vernacular and books for a moment, most will know of Sheila Stewarts 'Ramlin Rose', another title 'Lifting the Latch' is a gem. A true story of an agricultural workers life around Enstone in Oxfordshire - 'Old Mont', 1902-1989. (Oxford University Press). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Answer to a question raised by one of your members Mr Alan Fincher and Mr David Schweizer concerning the above. ....... Hope this clears things up a little as I could see from all the forum replies that were tagging on, you were almost there but not quite. I would really love it if it could be named Wiggerham's and not Wigram' s which is wrong but obviously sounds the same. Best wishes Laurence Wiggerham aged 58, living in Welling, Kent. Hi Laurence, and thank you very much for this fascinating piece of family history. What an amazing place the internet is. I was wondering, how do you pronounce your surname? Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Pegg Posted March 28, 2020 Report Share Posted March 28, 2020 (edited) I’ve resurrected this thread to post the link below which is to an article that gives the history of the house at Napton Junction. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/564a5d6be4b0da3c3b0864c4/t/565f77eee4b052d551489625/1449097198382/Wigrams+History.pdf I suspect some members may have seen the article before but my memory was jogged this morning by my own family research that revealed the fate of the son of Alfred Charles and Gertrude Neal who lived in the house through the 1920s and 30s and are referenced in the article. (Alfred) Bernard Neal unfortunately met his death aged just 21 when the Free French Navy ship Mimosa was sunk by U-boat U-124 while escorting an Atlantic convoy during the early hours of 9th June 1942. He was resident in the junction house at the outbreak of WWII. The article reveals that as well as being a canal company employee Alfred Charles Neal was at one time the landlord of the Bridge Inn, Napton. JP Edited March 28, 2020 by Captain Pegg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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