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

 

[mikejee]

Another different photo of the corner of Congreve and Ann Streets at a similar time. Bryan's , confectioner on the corner at no 1 and, to the left of it, James Watts, tobacconist. The date given is 1867. The 1867 directory shows Bryan as at no 1, but 2 & 3 are John Clifford, tobacconist. However the 1868 directory lists no 2 as James Watts, and the 1872 directory lists both Bryan and Watts

 

[Vivienne14]

Wonder what they're queuing for ?

 

[mikejee]

Not sure they are queuing, as many seem to be facing the camera. But if they are then it might be for an item coming out of the oven, In my youth (1950s) I can remember going to the local baker to collect a fresh loaf at, iI think, 11.00 am, as that was the time that the loaves came out, and I wanted a very fresh hot one, baked in a wood fired oven , sliced and with butter. In a similar manner, in the 1970s , in Leeds, for the butchers that made the best pork pies, if you wanted them really hot and fresh then you had to be there for when they came out of the oven (12.00 if I remember rightly), else you had to go without, as he only made a limited number, and they all sold out quickly. Sadly, both shops long gone

 

[mikejee]

Below are three photographs of the same buildings, two from one position and one looking in the opposite direction. They wer eoriginally labelled as showing the Belle Vue temperance hotel on the corner of Congreve Street and Great Charles Street. We can see congreve Street nameplate on the side of the building, so now the main street runs into Congreve Street.



However, as can be seen on the map, the Belle Vue is on the corner of Edmund Street (listed as 18 Congreve Street). However there is a hotel , the White Horse, on the corner of Great Charles Street. There appears to be no visible name on the corner building, I have no photo of the Belle Vue, and of the original White Horse ( it was replaced by a later one) I only have a painting, which shows a three storey building.
So the attribution is wrong. But is it the hotel or the street that is wrong? I tend to think that it is the street that is wrong , and that it is the Belle Vue, possibly, looking at its condition, not long before demolition. But would welcome comments

 

[DavidGrain]

Looking at the relative positions of the two hotels, I can see they could be easily confused. I had not realised the Friday Bridge and the old Wharfs were so close to Great Charles Street.

 

[Astoness]

hi mike it clearly says the belle vue on all 3 photos and i can clearly make out that it says congreve st on photo 3

lyn

 

[mikejee]

Yes. Younare right. missed it on the roof