W Ellery Jephcott

W Ellery Jephcott (1880-1960) was a journalist and local historian of the Smethwick and West Bromwich area.

In 1948 and 1949 he wrote a series of articles about the Downing family that appeared in the local paper called theĀ  ‘Smethwick Telephone’. Some of the information he dug up about Holly Lodge and the auction of the Downing lands in 1859 is referenced on this website. Copies of most of his articles have been obtained and gratefully used as part of our research.

To verify some of his work Jephcott wrote at least two letters to Noel Downing in 1948. The letter requesting a photo of William Downing is reproduced here.

Letter from W Ellery Jephcott to WN Downing 11 Nov 1948

Letter from W Ellery Jephcott to WN Downing 11 Nov 1948

Letter from W Ellery Jephcott to WN Downing 11 Nov 1948

Letter from W Ellery Jephcott to WN Downing 11 Nov 1948

Last updated on 3 July 2020 by JJ Morgan