Benjamin Shenton

[star43]

I am trying to find out more about Benjamin Shenton who seems to have taken over a Coal Merchants in Rea Street from a James Howis, I have records of Benjamin trading from Rea street from 1883 but would like to find out more about how long James Howis had this business, when Benjamin acquired the business and HOW!!!! Wondered if anyone could help with this?

 

[ColinB]

From Kelly's directories
1878
James Howis 60, Rea Street Beer retailer
Thomas Shenton 53, Bloomsbury Street Coal Merchant
1883
Benjamin Shenton 72, Rea Street Coal Merchant
1895
Benjamin Shenton 117, Cheapside & Fazeley St. Railway Station Coal Merchant
Joseph Cornell 72 Rea Street Coal Merchant.

It's a start.

Colin

 

[ladylinda]

Hi there,
Perhaps he took over the business after James Howis's death in 1883?
Deaths Jun 1883
James HOWIS aged 70 Birmingham 6d 37

 

[mikejee]

To expand Colin’s information, and give some ideas of the family ties obviously involved:

I do differ with colin on James Howis in 1878. I have it as 59 Rea St. for the beer retailer. James didn’t have the coal yard for very long, and Benjamin doesn’t seem to stay there for any length of time. The Shenton family seem very into coal , though they are sometimes listed as Shelton, Some are definmitely the same, as they are at the same address. Have included all for completeness

No James Howis listed before 1878, though there are mentions of a James Howes in the area, and coal dealers on cheapside named Howes
1878 James Howis 59, Rea Street Beer retailer
1873 Robert Kirby, coal dealer 72 Rea St
1876 & 1878 72 Rea St is not listed
1879-60 James Howis coal dealer, 72 Rea St
1882 Henry John Suckling, coal dealer, 72 Rea St
1883 Benjamin Shenton coal dealer 72 Rea St
1884 Cormell Arthur, coal dealer 72 Rea st
1884 Shenton Benjamin, haulier, 10 Sandy lane, Camp hill (coal dealers were often also classed as hauliers)
1888 -99
Shenton Benjamin, coal dealer, 117 Cheapside
Shenton Benjamin, coal merchant, Fazeley Street railway station, Lower Fazeley st
1900
Shenton Benjamin, coal dealer, 117 Cheapside
Shenton Benjamin, coal merchant, Fazeley Street railway station, Lower Fazeley st
Shenton Benjamin, coal merchant,Banbury St wharf
Didn’t go past 1900.

But , as I said earlier, there were other Shentons/Sheltons coal dealersI have put the spellings as in directoies)
1862 John Shelton coal dealer oozells st wharf resid.Bishopsgate St
1862 Joseph Shelton, coal dealer 14 bread st
1867-73 Mrs Esther Shelton ,coal dealer 53 Bloomsbury. (or in earlier years named Bloomsbury Place)
1876-78 Thomas Shenton , coal dealer, 53 Bloomsbury
1878 John Shelton coal dealer oozells st coal wharf
1879-83 Mrs Esther Shelton ,coal dealer 53 Bloomsbury
1880 Thomas Shenton coal dealer 83 Gt Russell St
Mike

 

[mikejee]

Forgot to add that below is a c 1889 map showing no 72 and the yard behind. I am not sure if 72 is the small building or the one just below it, the opposite side of the entrance, or possibly both were with the yard. Also an advert for Benjamin Shenton's yard after he moved ( from 1892 Kellys directory)

 

[star43]

Thank you so much for all that information - Brilliant!