Brickworks opposite Plane's (later Plain's) Farm on the west side of the Ipswich Road, north of the Lion and Lamb Public House.

Dates: By 1845 to c1900. <1>

Operators: John Witaker, c1845.
E. Ladbrook, c1855.
William James (1802-18), late 1850's to late 1860's.
William Daniels, c1870's.

Products: Bricks.

Further Information:
E. Ladbrook could have been Elisha Ladbrook (born 1817) who was a blacksmith and wheelwright in Ipswich Road, Ardleigh.

William James was also a builder and farmer of 65 acres employing four men and two boys. In 1873 he actually owned 5a 2r 17p of land in Ardleigh. His son Frederic W. James, born 1829 became a carpenter and another son, William, junior, born 1822, was a bricklayer.

Site Assessment:
The 1924 OS map records this site as 'clay pit disused'. Neeps Garage now occupies this site.
Following a field visit the site may merit an impact assessment to determine the probable location of buried archaeological structures/kilns with follow-on intrusive works.

Refs: George Gilbert's map of Colchester, 1846.
OS 25in. 1st Edn. 1875 (sheet XXVIII.1).
OS 25in. 2nd Edn. 1897 (sheet XXVIII.1).
Census Return, 1861.
Return of Owners of Land, 1873.
Essex Directories, 1845 to 1870.