I've just joined you because I'm hoping some Warwickshire experts can help uncover more about an intriguing letter I have found, written by 'Maria' to her friend, Betsy Richards. It was written on May 8th 1758, and addressed to her at 'Mr Blockleys Locksmith in Bull Street, Birmingham. Turn at Coleshill'. I have found refs to Thomas Blockley at 61 Bull Street, (1708 - 1788) a celebrated locksmith who supplied locks for Robert Adam and others. He had a son, also Thomas, who took over from him. I hate to start with a look-up request, but if anyone has access to Timmins, The Streets and Inhabitants of Birmingham in 1770, I think it may mention him, and his family. The letter is long and full of local gossip. It mentions two events in 1758 - the opening of Vauxhall Gardens and the appointment of 'young Edwards as Master of the Free School and Rector of St Johns'. I found a matching entry for Thomas Edwards in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. (happy to do any look-ups there) confirming he was made Master of the Free School in Coventry in 1758. There are other people mentioned in the letter - an ardent young man called Lucius, is one! Hope someone can shed some light. SUE.