Congreve Street

[Vivienne14]

Rupert posted this 1822 image on another thread (which I’ve now copied to post #1 of this thread). It shows the site before the Town Hall was built, the artist would have been standing with Christ Church behind them. Obviously the road running horizontally along the lower part of the drawing is Paradise Street, with Allin’s/Bryan’s Shop on the corner of Ann Street to the right. But I’m not sure which (if not all) of the road (including that behind the railings) is Congreve Street. Whatever parts form the road, this is - as Rupert said - a very rare view of the other side of early Congreve Street (opposite Bryan’s/Allin’s shop) before the building of the Town Hall. Viv.

Image originally posted by Rupert

 

[Vivienne14]

These two paintings, post 1822, show Congreve Street after the building of the Town Hall, they’re both looking towards Victoria Square, the spire is that of Christ Church. Viv.

 

[Brummie On Exmoor]

These pictures are really exciting. My 2 x Great Grandfather, George James, ran a Hairdresser and Perfumier at 4, Congreve Street from the spring of 1840 until the 1870s, and then at 37, Congreve Street (perhaps the same building, renumbered) until about mid 1880. He raised a family over the shop.

 

[mikejee]

Brummie from Exmoor
Post 2 in this thread shows on a very reduced scale a drawing of this part of the street. I reproduce a better copy below. The directories seem to name him as George James, and this is repeated in the drawing (James) towards the right of the panorama. You can click twice or save the image to see it at best magnification

 

[Brummie On Exmoor]

Wow Mike, that is amazing! Many thanks. Yes, he does appear in the directories a number of times. I have found a pretty continuous thread with them and with the Census returns.

 

[Vivienne14]

Looking at Mike’s drawing and the two paintings, I reckon Geo James’ shop must be this one (red dots). There’s also a photo posted by Mike in post #39 which you may have missed.

The shop was in a great position; facing the Town Hall, close to Christ Church. Plenty of footfall.

Viv.

 

[Brummie On Exmoor]

I think you could well be correct.

You might also be interested to see the attached pictures. I found them in my Mum's archives, and by a process of elimination, I was able to identify them as George and his wife Elizabeth. She was born MOLESWORTH, a well-known Birmingham family ~ but not the wealthy branch!

 

[Vivienne14]

Well that’s just lovely. Being able to see the people from the places we discuss is a real treat. Thank you Brummie on Exmoor ! Viv.

 

[mikejee]

These pictures are really exciting. My 2 x Great Grandfather, George James, ran a Hairdresser and Perfumier at 4, Congreve Street from the spring of 1840 until the 1870s, and then at 37, Congreve Street (perhaps the same building, renumbered) until about mid 1880. He raised a family over the shop.

After the 1873 directory all the buildings in Congreve st nos 1- 18 disappear, and the directory records that the street ends at Edmund St, not Anne St. this corresponds to the beginning of the building of the council house, which is stated to be in 1874. Therefore the change in address was real, and not merely renumbering

 

[Brummie On Exmoor]

Thank you Mike, that is really useful to know. It obviously became necessary to move, but Congreve Street suited them, so they found a new address.

J