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Newspapers : From Birmingham Post 150 years ago

Two barrel organs and a German Band and one of the organs with forty pipes. A bit much but I would like to see just one of those performing in Birmingham these days.
 
I like the advert for a good "TWISTER", he should have advertised in 1962, would have found thousands.
paul
While appreciating the joke, I suddenly noticed the name of the firm advertising. My grandfather was a rope maker and worked for Mewis's, in Winson Green, (in the 1920s I imagine).
Can anybody give me any information on the firm ?
 
What in heavens name is the the word "ELEEMOSYNARY" mean, in the English language, I have never come across this before.!!?
paul
It's one I've never come across before either, me old guardsman!
Looking in my dictionary I find that it means "Dependent on alms","Charitable" "Gratuitous".
A tip then !

Sorry ladylinda, Ive just noticed your answer to Paul. Trust me to jump in with my size nines !
 
There appear to have been two Mewis firms, but one did not last very lon, and was in Moseley. Have included details of both for anyone interested.. Not sure why , according to what was in the directories , the company seemed to expand in 1873 and then contract, but whites directories (as in 1873) do tend to give more detail than others

1915-21 Mewis Alfred Ernest, rope & twine manufr. 475 Moseley rd
1932 Mewis Alfd. E. rope & twine factor, 27 Trafalgar rd. Moseley

1862 -72 Mewis George Edwin. rope manufacturer, 35 St. Paul's square
1873 Mewis George Edwin, rope, line, twine, etc. mannfactr. and hemp, flax, jute, yarn, and tar merchant, Midland ropery, 35 St. Paul’s square, 57-88 Caroline st.
and Spring hill ; home 35 Frederick road, Edgbaston
1876-1913 Mewis George Edwin. rope & twine manufacturer, 35 St. Paul's square
1921 Mewis G-. E. rope & twine manufacturer, 35 St. Paul's square & 39 Carrs lane.
1932 Mewis G. E. rope & twine mfr. 35 St. Paul's sq.
1936- 40 Mewis G.E.Ltd. rope & twine mfr. 17-20 & 35 St. Paul's sq
1943- 50 Mewis G.E.Ltd. rope & twine mfr. 13-20 & 35 St. Paul's sq
1955-63 Mewis G.E.Ltd. rope & twine mfr. 13-2 & 35 St. Paul's sq & 84 Caroline St
1964-71 Mewis Cordage Ltd. rope & twine mfr. 11 & 13-20 & 35 St. Paul's sq & 84 Caroline St
1972 Mewis Cordage Ltd . twine mfr.11 & 13/20 & 35 St. Paul's sq
1973 Mewis Cordage Ltd . twine mfr. 11 & 13/20 St. Paul's sq
No Kellys after this date
 
mikejee, I find so much of this thread very interesting, thanks for posting.
 
Just stumbled across your message Baz, they did't send it to my e-mail address this has been happening for years, thanks for the answer old mate, nice to from you again hope you and yours are well.
regards
paul
 
Looks likely that Mr Gem has been exagerating. "Mr Gem" seems to be the Harry Gem who was one of the inventors of Lawn Tennis
Unfortunately we still have artful dodgers like this.
"One used to the rack" brings forth some rather unpleasant images, but fortunately this is a different sort of rack
Has anyone any idea what a "youth for the brazils " would do. Presumably it is not a brazil nut factory

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This cutting of 19 Sep 1864 gives some idea of the interior decoration of Day's Hall.

How much poorer would the history of Birmingham have been had Mr. Gem had his way.

Ed.
 

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Brazil is the name of a redwood tree also a red dye so could be anything to do with furniture or textiles. Obviously a name that has fallen out of use.
 
27.8.1862
What a beautiful turn of phrase the victorian letter writer had. "Intelligence just a glimmer above the gorilla" is a term I shall note for possible future use (Hmmm..George Osborne, Nick Griffen...)
It does seem that it is not just today that inappropriate charges are sometimes brought.
Before I saw this I would have thought that "a rodney-looking lad" referred to someone similar to a character to Fools & Horses, but obviously it long precedes the TV
This day for all the people being made bankrupt the solicitor to the assignee (which I gather means the person putting the bankupt through the shredder) the solicitor is the same. With a name liek that his utterences should be worth hearing

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28.8.1862
Two offers of contracts for supplying the workhouse. There is also another, not copied, for trusses. one wonders whether the insistence on bets quality meat was really adheared to for the workhouse poor. One also wonders where the spirits,wine & Burton ale were destined for. Bet it wasn't the inmates !
The Jewellers Arms are looking for a servant.
A ratepayer is suspicious of "oddments and sich"
Lady insulted on the railway
How a lady might catch her lunch

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The Coals for the Master , the slack for the inmates, the oatmeal, for inmates, and meat for the master, the wines and spirits for the master, beer for inmates.
paul
 
29.8.1862
Someone objects to bad meat prosecutions as they deprive the poor of meat in their diet
William H Russell, listed as a gilder in the directory at the time considers he has seen more vice in churches than in music halls !
William Dudley, still listed as a gun & pistol maker in Weaman St only four years before goes missing

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Like the journalist's "Crinoline as game net" piece in post # 166. Very witty - he (I presume 'he') has used the incident to take a pop at the Night Poaching Prevention Bill. Nicely done. Viv.
 
Parts of St Martins closed off. This was after the spire was rebuilt in 1855. I wonder if other structural problems were already becoming evident, as the rest was rebuilt only 10 years after this
Chaos in Snow Hill
Story about how Murdoch supposedly joined Boulton & Watt

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I'd like to believe the Murdoch/Boulton story. Often such great things happen this way. Had to work out what a 'Doric' accent is. Can only presume it was a Scottish accent. Viv.
 
I'd like to believe the Murdoch/Boulton story. Often such great things happen this way. Had to work out what a 'Doric' accent is. Can only presume it was a Scottish accent. Viv.
From the East coast Viv - around Aberdeen I believe.
 
Thanks Bernie. Is it commonly known as Doric? Never heard of Doric in this context before. Viv.
 
I find the Boulton/Murdock story a bit hard to believe. From my own experience the Victorians made a heck of a lot up, and this seems a bit far fetched to me to be true.
 
1.9.1862
The Saltley reformatory seems to be doing quite well.
Does this mean singers performed songs over the Atlantic cable. I suppose it was a one-off stunt
A correction. Unusual for this period, but perhaps the boards of guardians cracked the whip.

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2.9.1862
A very respectable woman . Of course I have heard tell that on censuses "dressmaker" often involves taking off cloths rather than making them. her clients would undoubtably be glad to give a reference
Do not listen to chinese whispers.
Price of a wounded lip
Could do with pure beer at a reasonable price today also.
A rather clever conman

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3.9.1862
Must have been pretty horrible in court 5 Baggot St
William Dudley, missing four days ago, has been found
Sale goods suitable for stocking up by emigrants.
Really caring god-fearing hypocrites
Boxing match of 96 rounds !
Typical medical student
Strange and mysterious entertainments

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Under prize fight rules a round ended when a man was knocked down. So in order to take a break the fighters probably had a private deal going on between then to take a dive every so often. The fight ended when after 30 seconds a fighter failed "to come up to the mark" or "to come up to scratch", a line drawn in the ground.
 
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