Wellbelove Genealogy

 Research & data

Of the many Claygate families associated with the Common Road brickyard over the years, the Welch and de Bertodano families, and the Wellbelove family are probably the best known. The most renowned member of the latter was Jack Wellbelove who started work in this brickyard in 1888 at the age of 12 fetching beer from the local pub, most likely The Alma but possibly The Griffin, for the workers for a wage of 2s.6d. a week. His father, nine brothers and a nephew also worked in this yard at various times. Jack tackled and learnt every job involved, he made the first experimental briquettes for the Claygate fireplaces, and became works manager.

After a period of semi retirement, Jack Wellbelove finally retired in 1964. The pit and yard were closed shortly thereafter, and after a suitable restoration, the land was developed for housing.

The Common Road Pit and brickfield.

The oldest of the three clay pits in Claygate, so it is thought was located near Common Road and Stevens Lane. Reference to the pit is found in the 1838 rate books. Claygate fireplaces was established in 1922 and rapidly acquired a pre-eminent position in the manufacture of brick fireplaces to the point where its name became synonymous with the product throughout the United Kingdom and in some overseas markets as well.

The Common Road pit had a large working face of some 40 ft, and where hand digging was impracticable, a mechanical shovel was used to win the clay. The clay was then piled in mounds and covered with ash, which was later dug into it. The proportion of ash used and the addition of sand was a trade secret and largely determined the colour of the bricks. After de-stoning, grinding and soaking for three days the clay was processed into blocks and hand pressed into the 70 odd different shapes required by the various designs of fireplaces made by the firm.

As mentioned above the pit and brickyard closed shortly after Jack Wellbelove retired in 1964 and the land was developed for housing. However, Claygate’s association with the manufacture of fireplaces is perpetrated in the successor to Claygate Fireplaces, namely Galleon-Claygate Limited which has its headquarters at nearby Tolworth.

Bibliography :-
‘The Claygate Book - A history of the Village’ by Malcolm W. H. Peebles, published by The Blackmore Press.

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