Records and Recollections of Acton & Acton Green
During the years 1840 to 1850, the Parish [of Acton] remained almost the same as it had been for many years.
Church Road was not then thought of, and the way to Acton Green was by a path and hedge-row, now Oldham Terrace, to a pleasant walk through corn fields and market gardens, and except the lodge at the entrance to Mill Hill Park, there were no houses nearer than "Broomcroft", Acton Green, where, in Mr. Francis Child's garden, under a bed of periwinkles, it is said the Church Plate was carefully hidden during the Commonwealth.
Some years since, Sir Richard Birnie, and afterwards his daughter, Mrs. McDermott, owned this house and resided there. The Mission Church, in Acton Lane, stands on a part of the garden of "Broomcroft".
Sir Richard Birnie and Mrs. McDermott are buried in Acton Churchyard, and a marble tablet to their memory is in the Church
The houses at Acton Green were few; next to “Broomcroft" resided Sir John Sebright, and afterwards Mr. Floris, a most kindly gentleman to his poorer neighbours, who lived in the few cottages nearby. Acton Green Lodge adjoining was the residence of Mr. Bromfield Adams, and afterwards Mr. Lennox; a pond divided the grounds from "Fairlawn". History tells us that Lord Mayor Gascoyne lived here some years; since then, for a while, Dr. Lindley and Mr. Tillt, and the last tenant was Mr. Richard Attenborough. On the opposite side of the Green were a few houses, the Duke of Sussex Inn, and Middle Street and Back Street (now enjoying the names of Beaconsfield and Gladstone Roads), partly built upon. Bedford Park, in name, did not exist. Bedford House and two others could only be reached by vehicles from Turnham Green. One could walk over the Common to them, weather permitting.
Dr. Lindley lived and died at Bedford House, and was buried in the Churchfield Road Cemetery.
Passing from Beaconsfield Road, we find Acton Lane boasted of two houses only, and the High Road was reached as now, but it was a much narrower road, bounded on the west by the Priory walls and on the east by a hedge-row enclosing a garden, which joined fields as far as opposite East Acton Lane.
From: Records and Recollections of Acton
by Henry Mitchell, 1913
(Henry
Mitchell was a parish clerk for 50 years)
Additional information:
Acton Lane appears as Broomcroft Lane on a map dated 1750. “Broomcroft” was a house, pulled down ca.1870, on the west side of Acton Lane, immediately south of Antrobus Road.