pigsonthewing
knowlegable brummie
I have just transcribed, on Wikisource, a ten-page pamphlet "Recollections of New Street, Birmingham, in the Year 1817", published in 1877 by local author Lucy Benton, which some of you might enjoy:
-
Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.
We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team
Recollections of New Street, Birmingham, in the Year 1817
- Thread starter pigsonthewing
- Start date
-
- Tags
- 1877 new street shops
BrummieGeoff
Sparkhill Lad
Thanks for this pigsonthewing .... I'd seen references to the pamphlet but hadn't previously seen the contents.
It's very helpful to see the properties and some occupant names listed by their position in New Street because the directories I've seen for this period don't give a street listing.
There are also some interesting comments given in passing such as: King Street .... "a chapel, belonging to the Lady Huntingdon Connexion, which was built and first used for a Theatre".
Here are a few pictures to illustrate some of the pamphlet contents .... with related quotes.
NB Obviously not all these views relate to 1817 exactly, but they show the same occupant names in the same part of New Street.
"The first building we have to notice was the shop kept by a Mr. Warner, man's mercer".
"another cabinet maker's (Mr. Hensman)"
"Whip manufactory of Mr. Birtles, which was reached from the street by a flight of brick steps
"At the opposite corner of New Street and Cannon Street was another large, old-fashioned, gentleman's house, with grass plot in front, and protected by large and massive iron gates. This residence was uninhabited for a long time, but was subsequently tenanted by Dr. Freer".
"at the end of this wall stood a small cottage, similar to a lodge. This was occupied by a "cobbler" named Dore"
"Adjoining the post-office was the house occupied by Mr. Gottwaltz (the post-master) and his family."
"Mr. Walcot, tax collector, who was also a manufacturer of coach trimmings, and whose manufactory was at the back of his house"
"By the side of this was a large building, formerly used for a panoramic exhibition, but which remained for many years unused"
It's very helpful to see the properties and some occupant names listed by their position in New Street because the directories I've seen for this period don't give a street listing.
There are also some interesting comments given in passing such as: King Street .... "a chapel, belonging to the Lady Huntingdon Connexion, which was built and first used for a Theatre".
Here are a few pictures to illustrate some of the pamphlet contents .... with related quotes.
NB Obviously not all these views relate to 1817 exactly, but they show the same occupant names in the same part of New Street.
"The first building we have to notice was the shop kept by a Mr. Warner, man's mercer".
"another cabinet maker's (Mr. Hensman)"
"Whip manufactory of Mr. Birtles, which was reached from the street by a flight of brick steps
"At the opposite corner of New Street and Cannon Street was another large, old-fashioned, gentleman's house, with grass plot in front, and protected by large and massive iron gates. This residence was uninhabited for a long time, but was subsequently tenanted by Dr. Freer".
"at the end of this wall stood a small cottage, similar to a lodge. This was occupied by a "cobbler" named Dore"
"Adjoining the post-office was the house occupied by Mr. Gottwaltz (the post-master) and his family."
"Mr. Walcot, tax collector, who was also a manufacturer of coach trimmings, and whose manufactory was at the back of his house"
"By the side of this was a large building, formerly used for a panoramic exhibition, but which remained for many years unused"
A very interesting topic and one that has captured our interest on BHF over the years.
Some might also be interested in seeing a variety of sources of information that expand or illustrate on the occupants and businesses of 18th/19th century New Street. Please visit our New Street thread here, in particular from post #532
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/threads/new-street-city-centre-birmingham.38783
We have also explored details of the New Street Post Offices (pre-Victoria Square GPO) in the thread below:
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/threads/new-street-post-offices-until-1873.53903
Some might also be interested in seeing a variety of sources of information that expand or illustrate on the occupants and businesses of 18th/19th century New Street. Please visit our New Street thread here, in particular from post #532
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/threads/new-street-city-centre-birmingham.38783
We have also explored details of the New Street Post Offices (pre-Victoria Square GPO) in the thread below:
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/threads/new-street-post-offices-until-1873.53903
Last edited:
pigsonthewing
knowlegable brummie
Great to see those with quotes from the transcription. Thank you, BrummieGeoff!
