A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
ROW THIRTY EIGHT
FERRIER’S ROW (Palmer)
Looking east, 14.08.95.
Ferrier’s Row (Johnson’s notes)
Ellis the Brush Maker’s Row, 1828
This row ran from Charlotte Street to the Market
Place.
As Charles Palmer described: “The house at
the southeast corner, no. 22 Market Place, was for
many years the property of a family of the name of
Ferrier. They descended from Richard Ferrier or Ferrour,
of Norwich (Mayor of Norwich, 1473). Robert Ferrier,
Bailiff 1643, was the first in Yarmouth. Richard Ferrier
who died in 1695, had been Bailiff in 1691. He left an
only son, also Richard, who had a considerable estate
at Hemsby, where several generations then resided.
He headed the Jacobite or High Church Party, was
major of the Yarmouth Fusiliers, Mayor 1706 and
1720, and M.P. for Yarmouth in 1708, along with
Colonel, the Hon. Roger Townshend. Robert Ferrier
was town clerk 1739, and Mayor 1850. Mary, his
sister, married John Burton, water Bailiff. Their son
was Robert Ferrier Burton, and their daughter Lorina
in 1778 married Nathaniel Palmer who died in 1799.
John Burton Palmer their second son, had a son named
William Hurry Palmer, the town’s mayor in 1844 (
see
Market Place)
. At the north-west corner of row 38 is
a house, the property of the Lovedays. In 1712 it was a
settlement by Thomas Loveday upon a son of the same
name, and Priscilla his wife, who survived him and
married John Parson. In 1991 Roger and Joy Loveday
lived at 120 King Street, where they had a wool shop,
although no relation! Between this row and row 40 is
an old house fronting Charlotte Street, no. 21, which
bears the letters N. E. L”.
In 1927, Harry Johnson wrote: ”The east entrance
astonishes the visitor, it being the lowest covered way
of all the rows. By multiplying the number of this row,
you arrive at the height in inches. The Ferriers resided
at the house at the south-east corner during Charles
II’s reign, and I believe entertained some of the party
who accompanied the King on his visit to the town
in 1671. The Ferriers today trace their ancestry back
prior to 1643, when Robert Ferrier was Bailiff. The roof
of this building is quaint. Ellis the brush maker: today
brush makers have their shop in the Broad Row”.
There follows an especially long description from the
row survey: “Across the clearing in this row (on the
side of no. 20) is another old house of interest on the
same (north) side of this row. This house has a lofty
gable, from which projects a Tudor chimney in brick
of three flues. The premises are now divided into two
or three tenements, and what was its front court is
cluttered up with outbuildings against the row fence wall
(fence or wall?!). It appears at one time to have been
a single house, and has very good brickwork. Between
Detail of south wall of row, 21.2.07
381
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ground and first floor levels is a band of ornamental
brick arranged as a string, and above this the wall is
panelled, the divisions indicated by brick pilasters,
in each panel (presumably), was a well proportioned
sash window. Several of these lights remain. Above is a
cornice and a steep tiled roof of plain tiles. The ground
floor also has sash windows, but where the wall
spaces are not occupied by the sides of more recent
outbuildings, the brickwork has been white-washed.
There are cellars. It is probable that the interior
would on close investigation, and after the removal
of recent partitions etc., disclose further evidence
of the Tudor origin, which now alone shows in the
chimney. The structure appeared to be sound. No.
20 is an exceptionally well built house, with 18
inch brick walls at ground floor level. The entrance
is to the row, and is a recessed porch, with panelled
jambs, architraves, and hood. The door is 6 panel,
with small light over. Within is a good panelled
hall 7 feet wide, from which a newel staircase with
balusters and handrail and panelled walls rises. There
are rooms on either side of the hall, (but I was not
allowed admittance) which are possibly panelled.
In the window jambs are, or were, shutters. On one
side of the hall is a room with a pair of sash windows
with a 14 inch pier between, which has had outside
shutters. On the other side is a room also with two
similar windows which retain their external shutters.
Upon the first floor is a range of five handsome well
proportioned sash windows (but several of them in poor
condition). The brickwork is good (but in one place
somewhat decayed), with black headers. To the east is
a clearing leaving one side of this building exposed,
and in the rear is a court of small size, which could
be enlarged and cleared. This house is likely to date
from 1750. It is now dirty and overcrowded, used as
a common lodging house”.
19th February 2007
According to Harry Johnson, this was the lowest of
all the row entrances, and multiplying the number
of the row, he said, gave the height in inches.
After the war, Matthew Smith lived here at no.
3, at least until 1955. (The only house then still
occupied.)
The Occupants, Row Thirty Eight, 1886
(From Market Place to Howard Street North)
Place, A.
Neville, G.
The Occupants, Row Thirty Eight, 1927
(From 21 Market Place to Howard Street North)
Dyble, Mrs.
Groom, G.
The Occupants, Row Thirty Eight, 1913
(From 21 Market Place to Howard Street North)
Johnson, William, fish merchant
3. Smith, Matthew
The Occupants, Row Thirty Eight, 1936
(From 21 Market Place to 20 Howard Street North)
Gowing, William, fish merchant
3. Smith, Matthew.
3. Smith, Matthew
N.B. Mr. Smith was still at no.3 in 1955.
382
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
asper map
thenotorious
Globe
publichouse
Row35
Row38
thiswould
havebeen
Row38
1/2
asper
map
theoldTudorhouse
(dividedby1906)
19
20
21
22
23
probablyno.3
(MatthewSmith,1913-36)
20
21
22
Row38
fishmerchant'swarehouses
asper
map
19.02.07
JJB Sports, below and above, no. 22 Market Place.
21.02.07
19.02.07
383
1772
1906
1985
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ROW THIRTY NINE,
BLOWERS ROW
Mark Blower’s Row, 1828 (Johnson)
Norman, The Cabinet Maker’s, 1804
Row thirty nine ran from George Street to
Charlotte Street, and was called Blower’s Row, from
the house and shop in Charlotte Street, long occupied by
Mark Blowers, upholsterer, who in due course moved
to Reading, where he died, aged 80. On the north side
there were some old Malthouses which in the 18th
century were the property of Barry Love. Also there
were some fish offices, the property of Jeffery Ward,
which were converted into Malthouses, and became
the property of William Manning. The house and shop
at the south-east corner, were at the commencement of
the 19th century, occupied by Mr.Beckham, a grocer
and the father of Lieut.Col. Beckham, who served
under Wellington in France. (This para from Charles
Palmer,
P.P. vol.I. p.240
).
Johnson noted: “At one period malthouses and
fish curing houses were in this row. Norman’s
today have extensive premises in the Market Place.
This row has a lofty east entrance. St.Steven’s
Mission Rooms occupy the site at the north-east
corner. The four wooden posts attached to the north
wall are a feature just disappearing in Yarmouth.
These served to protect the houses and doorsteps
when the Yarmouth trolley, drawn by a horse, used
the rows as thoroughfares”.
The row ran between 17 and 21 Howard Street (now).
Seen 02.01.2008.
In 1994, the director, Terry Norman, was descended
of Simon Norman the founder. It is said that he started
the business here in 1820 after six years apprentice-
ship as a cabinet maker, assisted in the new business
by his son Simon John, whose sons Simon Clover,
Thomas and George followed in time into the same
business. The first mentioned Simon was said to have
been born in 1755, although if that is so he must have
been quite elderly when he started the business. (ref.
G.Y.M. 24/6/94)
This row was not mentioned in the 1936 survey. Mrs.
Gladman was the last resident in 1952, on the south side
at no.14, and had gone by 1955.
The Occupants, Row Thirty Nine, 1886
(From Howard Street North to George Street)
Moore, G., porter, Norman, J., smacksman
Stanhall, J.H.
Rumbold, J.
Barton, G., labourer
Crisp, Mrs.
Durrant, S., fisherman
Leggett, Mrs.
Plummer, H.
Chapman, C., labourer
Barrow, H.
The row was about four yards to the north
side of the dwellings, seen here from no.1,
Fitzalan Close (14.6.1995).
384
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
The Occupants, Row Thirty Nine, 1913
(From 46 Howard Street North to George Street)
North side:
1. Bartram, Mrs.
2. Rolfe, Edward
3. Spurge, George
4. Lee, Arthur William
5. Claxton, Frederick
6. Mollett, Walter
7. Bean, Robert
South side:
9. Rawlings, Harry
11. Mitchell, Charles
12. Bailey, Mrs.E.
12a. Mortimer, Mrs.
14. Tungate, Mrs.
15. Johnson, Frederick
6. Blyth, Arthur
7. Mallett, Dennis
8. Crane, Frank George
9. Thompson, Ernest
11. Anderson, Arthur
12.Bailey, Mrs.E.
12a. Riley, George
13. Huke, Mrs.
14. Beck, Mrs.
15. Pillow, Charles
The Occupants, Row Thirty Nine, 1927
(From 46 Howard Street North to George Street)
North side:
1. Layen, William George
2. Everitt, Edgar Charles
3. Spurge, George
4. Everitt, William George
5. Hannant, William
South side:
6. Blyth, Arthur
7. Mallett, Dennis
8. Crane, Frank George
9. Thompson, Ernest
11. Anderson, Arthur
12.Bailey, Mrs.E.
12a. Riley, George
13. Huke, Mrs.
14. Beck, Mrs.
15. Pillow, Charles
15a. Rising, George
15a. Rising, George
The Occupants, Row Thirty Nine, 1936
(From 46 Howard Street North to George Street)
North side:
1. Layen, William George
2. Gladden, Mrs.
3. Spurge, George
4. Hanton, Mrs.
5. Starling, Eric
South side:
6. Thompson, Frederick
The Occupants, Row Thirty Nine, 1936
(From 46 Howard Street North to George Street)
North side:
1. Layen, William George
2. Gladden, Mrs.
3. Spurge, George
4. Hanton, Mrs.
5. Starling, Eric
South side:
6. Thompson, Frederick
7. Bishop, James John
8. Benjafield, Walter Horace
9. Smith, Robert
10. Sinclair, John
11. Anderson, Arthur
12. Bailey, Mrs. E.
13. Huke, Mrs.
14. Richardson, Bert
15. Childs, Arthur
15a. Bean, Edward John
7. Bishop, James John
8. Benjafield, Walter Horace
9. Smith, Robert
10. Sinclair, John
11. Anderson, Arthur
12. Bailey, Mrs. E.
13. Huke, Mrs.
14. Richardson, Bert
15. Childs, Arthur
15a. Bean, Edward John
385
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
Row 39
no 48 Howard
Street
Row 39
here
Row 38, below, led directly across to Row 39, so imagine it directly behind the jutting out wall, on the opposite
side of Howard Street (prev. Charlotte Street). Then 40 was marked further south on the east side of Charlotte
street, then 41, slightly back north again, on the opposite side. Walking to the next row south still on Howard
Street was Row 42 (west side). Rows 43 and 44 were then marked on the east side of Howard Street, before
someone went through Moyse’s Passage to mark Row 45 from George Street to North Quay.
R o w 3 8 ,
19.02.07
Line of row 39 today (photo. 1995).
386
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
ROW FORTY (Palmer gives no name)
Wall the Linen Draper’s Row (1828) (Johnson)
Taylor and Fulcher’s North Row
Plaza Row (north) (1926, G. Plane,)
In Johnson’s notes: “Robert Wall was a popular
linen draper and politician, and carried on business
at the north-east corner where for many years there
was hung the golden key belonging to Sills Ltd.,
the keymakers and ironmongers. Trade signs in
Yarmouth have gradually reduced in number. The
town had its “Golden Ham”, “Horn”, “Golden
Canister”, “Large Hat”, and “padlock”, but these
trade signs have passed. A tablet is inserted on the
south wall at the western entrance denoting the
widening of the row in 1859, with initials W. S.”.
Palmer related that: Row forty ran from Charlotte
Street to the Market Place. The house at the north-
east corner was for many years occupied by Robert
Wall, a woollen draper, a fluent speaker who took a
leading part in the politics of the day. He inherited
the house from his father, Thomas Wall, and in his
turn, passed it to his only son, the Rev. Thomas
Wall. The Rev. Wall was instituted to the vicarage
of Edgeware in 1848 on the presentation of Dr. Lee,
at the request of the inhabitants. At the south-
west corner of this row some very old houses were
pulled down in 1859, and rebuilt. In one of them
was discovered a fragment of carved oak which
had apparently been the front of a chest. On it was
represented in high relief, on one side the combat
between St.George and the Dragon, and on the
other, a stag chase, with a man on foot blowing a
horn.
In 1926, Gladys Plane, (14/1/12-25/2/95) then
Gladys Chapman, lived with her parents at no.7 in
this Row (Interview 1991). Next to the Chapman’s
house resided the Turners at no. 6. Every night
Mrs. Turner had a number of men visiting her.
Mrs. Turner was nice looking, quite petite. The
young Gladys asked her mother about these
frequent visits. Sometimes Mrs. Turner had up
to 8 visitors during an evening. Gladys’ mother,
Emma Chapman, said that the lady had a lot of
Uncles. Gladys was quite jealous, and wanted
to know why they (The Chapmans) had so few
relatives! Gladys’ mother said the lady “did books”
(accounts?). Gladys, many years later, thought
otherwise! One of Mrs. Turner’s daughters was
named Rhoda, but Mrs. Turner had several families,
so I was informed. Gladys’ own entertainment
was more conventional. At age 14, she used to go
dancing in the dance hall on the Britannia Pier.
At no. 8 in this row lived the Houghtons, they
were pleasant folks, Daniel Houghton went to St.
George’s Chapel. He was a fireman. It is thought
that he died in an accident. At 4 and 4a, were the
387
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
The ancient and famous Angel Inn, c.1900, selling Worthington’s Burton Ales
Jermanys. They had
a tap in the yard and
indoors was only a tin
bath and no running
water. There was no
water inside any of
the other houses, so
Mrs. Jermany’s tap
was much in demand.
Edward Bromfield
lived opposite. He
used to go to the shop
for just a tiny portion
of flour, he was so
frugal. But none of
the residents here
had any spare money
then. Nevertheless Mr.
Bromfield owned a
lathe. He turned out
wooden basins and
wooden spinning tops.
Being a generous
sort of person, he
gave some to the
children in the row.
They were made of plain wood, unpainted, but
very smooth and well finished. Further up the
street, Henry Bailey at No. 13, in Gladys’ words,
was a “creepy sort of man”. He used to ask Gladys
into his house, but Gladys was wary of him,
declining his invitations. He had a daughter called
Phyllis. Next door to him was Mr. Phillips. Charles
Phillips at No. 14 was a “big bruiser of a fellow”.
His occupation was to prepare the tripe on the stall
in the market. A relative of his who he worked
for was the owner of the stall and the business. At
the top of the row lived Mrs. Farrow, who was
very friendly; Mrs. Wilgress was “a little lady”,
her son Geoffrey has (in 1991) only just retired
after 40 years working at the Conservative club as
steward. His father was William Wilgress. Miss
Stone was then an elderly lady. Robert Tubby lived
with his family further up the row. They were “a
bit highbrow”. Mrs. Tubby was “born with a silver
spoon in her mouth”. She used to work at Grouts
and they were rather better off than most, since
they both worked. Mr. Tubby went out early to
an office. They were a family of three, so were
well enough off, unlike Gladys’ parents with their
brood of 12. Morley and son, cabinet makers, had
a shop in the row. They made all sorts of cabinets,
sideboards, and furniture, manufactured here in
the row, and sold on the premises. William Barber
was another occupant of this row, thought to be
“an old man to steer clear of”! Gladys went to buy
the bread at Beazor’s bread shop in Howard Street.
They would buy “overdays” bread (yesterdays),
it cost only a farthing a loaf, but they couldn’t
afford more. Nevertheless they found it quite
The Central, renamed Plaza cinema in the
1930’s was on the north-east corner
Row 40, 1920’s
388
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
palatable. Aside from ordinary loaves,
Beazor used to make “twists” (coiled
up bread). Another resident of this row,
old Miss Archbold, used to chase the
children up and down the row with her
broom for making too much noise! A
friend of Gladys Plane was Mr. Weller’s
daughter, Sonia. Weller owned the Plaza,
also had a stall on the market. He sold
foreign paper money there after the first
war (presumably only of any value to
collectors). Has anyone got any of this
now I wonder? At no. 9, William Wilson
was the father of Robert Wilson the
maltster of row 11 and row 58. When
Mrs. Wilson died, she was laid out
in her coffin at the house, as was then
usual, and the (grand)children were all
given a halfpenny. Nowadays it amazes
me how fast people want their relatives
removed to a cold and remote unfriendly
“chapel of rest” at the undertakers,
almost as soon as the deceased has
stopped breathing. Everyone now seems
so frightened of death as though it were
unnatural. Most people ring for the
doctor and undertaker at any time of day
and night and cannot cope with the dead,
or indeed with the dying. This attitude
can only be the fault of the parent, but
the media sensationalises everything
today.
The line of Row 40 today runs through the
centre of the store. Photos 19th Feb. 2007.
This row was intact after the war. There were 14
occupied premises in
1952, and 13 in 1955.
It certainly was not the
war that demolished this
row.
The Occupants,
Row Forty, 1886
(From Market Place to
Howard Street North)
1. Barge, S., iron store
2. Elliott, W.
Sammon, G.
3. Duncan, Mrs., mid-
wife
4. Smith, Mrs.
5. Bowles, Mrs. E.
6. Bensley, Mrs.
7. Bezance, J.
389
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
8. Layton, Thomas
9. Grimmer, J.
10. Ives, J.
11. Readsham, Miss
12. Smith, Mrs.
13. Hales, J., greengrocer
Smith, J.
Ellerd, W. F., cabinet maker
Smith, F. E.
Blanden, H.
Balls, Mrs.
20. Archbold, Miss
Annison, S.
The Occupants, Row Forty, 1913
(From 23 Market Place to Howard Street North)
21. Cubitt, Henry
The Occupants, Row Forty, 1927
(From 23 Market Place to Howard Street North.
1. Phillips, Charles A.
2. Wright, Mrs.
1. Farrow, Mrs.
3. Page, William
2. Wilgress, William
4. Jermany, Alfred
3. Stone, Miss
4a. Jermany, Mrs. M.
4. Jermany, Alfred
5. Bensley, Miss
4a. Jermany, Daniel
6. Wilson, William
5. Hall, Harry
7. Tubby, Robert
6. Turner, Frederick
8. Peel, Robert
7. Chapman, John William
9. Buck, Charles
8. Houghton, Daniel
10. Smith, Mrs.
9. Wilson, William
12. Millen, Mrs.
10. Bromfield, Henry, senior.
13. Smith, Mrs. E.
12. Milne, Mrs.
14. McCarthy, Mrs.
13. Bailey, Henry
South side:
14. Phillips, Charles
15. Smith, Frederick E.
South side:
16. Morley, Frederick, cabinet maker
15. Tubby, Robert
18. Buck, Walter
16. Morley and son, cabinet makers
19. McCarthy, James
17. Barber, William
390
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
1772
22
23
Row 38
Once an old Row
Row 40
24
Very old houses, rebuilt 1858
now a public house, no 24 Howard Street
Robert Wall, linen draper
6. Turner, Frederick
7. Chapman, John William (see text)
1906
8. Houghton, Daniel
John Chapman’s house
Jermany’s
11
21
23
14
13
12
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Row 40
21
24
20
19
17
18
16
15
18. Taylor, Miss
Row 40 still had twelve houses occupied in 1955
19. Bromfield, Edward
20. Archbold, Miss
Woolworth
Store
siteof
Row40
1985
The Occupants, Row Forty, 1936
(From 23 Market Place to 22* Howard Street
North) (*this should read 24, and must have been a
misprint in the directory)
1. Lingwood, James
2. Wilgress, William
3. Stone, Miss
4. Jermany, Alfred
4a. Jermany, Daniel
5. Hall, Harry
9. Mannall, William Austin
10. Bromfield, Henry, senior.
12. Palmer, Horace
13. Kemp, Miss
14. Phillips, Charles
South side:
15. Mann, Alfred
16. Morley, George Frederick, decorator
17. Myhill, Miss
18. Boggis, Leslie
19. Bromfield, Edward Albert, paper hanger
20. Archbold, Miss
391
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ROW FORTY ONE ROSE
AND CROWN ROW.
(Palmer)
Rose and Crown Row, 1828 (Johnson’
notes)
Row forty one ran from George Street
to Charlotte Street, and was called
Rose and Crown Row, from the sign
of the Public House at the north-east
corner. The house at the south-east
corner, divided by Palmer’s time
into two occupations, was at the
commencement of the 18th. Century
the property of Thomas Baret, of
Horsted. It descended to his son,
Robert Baret, and to his grandson,
Robert Baret, also both of Horsted;
and by the latter it was in 1799
conveyed to Joseph King, who died in
1824 (from Palmer’s Perlustration).
Johnson noted that: In 1927, the above
tavern sign was old established at the
N.E. corner and its licence ceased in
1824. Some beautiful old beams were
in its covered east entrance, and on
the south side, some flint houses were
still to be seen. At the west end the
brick arch spanning the row adjoined
Harrison’s house (see Row 42).
The line of Row forty-one (photo. 1995).
In 1936, Rose and Crown Row had several
cleared areas. “Some courts could have (their) walls
reduced and certain privies removed”
(the row
survey).
Ingram, Mrs.
Ingram, J.
Barrow, W.
Seamen, R.
Frost, J., smacksman
Smith, C., fish dealer
Chaston, Mrs.
Smith, J.
Woods, Mrs.
Stanton, T.
Folkes, Mrs.
The Occupants, Row Forty One, 1913
(From 44 Howard Street North to George Street)
North side:
2. Blake, Robert
3. White, Charles
4. Lewis, Henry
5. Warne, Robert
6. Riley, George
7. Vint, Mrs.
8. Stone, George Edward
9. Curtis, Edgar
9a. Jackson, Walter
Yet again, two occupants remained here postwar;
there was Arthur Child at no. 2, and Christopher
Daynes at no. 5 in 1952, although both had gone by
1955. Clearly these appear to have been two of the
most substantial properties in this row.
The Occupants, Row Forty One, 1886
(From Howard Street North to George Street)
Gowen, Mrs.
Bessey, Mrs.
Larn, Mrs. A.
Rowling, C.
Thacker, J., caulker
Warnes, Mrs.
Coleby, C., fish dealer (Colby?)
Vint, H., boot and shoemaker
Smith, H.
Gowing, Mrs.
Ingram, Mrs.
Ingram, J.
Barrow, W.
Seamen, R.
Frost, J., smacksman
392
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
The Occupants, Row
Forty One, 1927
(From 44 Howard Street North
to George Street)
North side:
2. Jermany, Ernest A.
3. White, Charles
4. Hurrell, William
5. Warne, Mrs.
6. Baxter, Gus (Augustus)
7. Jackman, Job William
8. Stone, George Edward
9. Jackson, Walter
9a. Spall, Reginald
10. Cheek, Mrs. M.
10a. Brooks, Robert
12. Kerrison, Sidney
13. Goodwin, Walter
South side:
15. Nobbs, George W.
16. Curtis, Edgar
17. Coleman, Edward
18. Goreham, John
19. Coe, Herbert Victor
20. Howard, Frederick Charles
1936, north side:
2 Jermany, Ernest
3. Martins, Frederick
4. Hurrell, George
5. Warnes, Robert
6. Baxter, Augustus
9. Portway, Edward Sidney
9a. Spall, Reginald
10. Cheek, Mrs.
12. Cubitt, Robert
13. Brown, John
1913, continued:
south side:
15. Nobbs, George W.
16. Manguzi, Peter Henry
17. Eales, Frederick William
18. Goreham, John
19. Coe, Herbert Victor
20. Barnaby, Ernest Stanley
10. Ellis, Benjamin
11. Waters, Robert
South side
16. Curtis, Edgar
17. Curtis, Walter
18. Goreham, John
20. Dye, James
393
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ROW FORTY TWO,
JEW’S ROW.
(Palmer)
Jew’s Row
(Johnson)
Synagogue Row
Barnaby’s Row
Hunt the Glazier’s Row
Row forty-two, from George Street to Charlotte
Street, was called Jew’s Row, after the synagogue
that had long been there.
At the north-west corner of this row was an old
house with a flint cut front facing George Street,
which comprised two occupations in Palmer’s time,
nos. 43 and 44 George Street, which had the date
1592 in iron figures upon the front. At the southwest
corner there was a very old house, no. 45, with a
modern front, having on the ground floor, a room
used as a shop, in which there was a moulded
ceiling somewhat similar to that in the Nelson
Room of the old Star Hotel where the telephone
exchange is now. Johnson in his notes related: “The
Jews synagogue was established in this row, and
the building erected in 1847 used by Garson Blake
as a cement store. Attention is called to the fine
flint-fronted house No. 43 at the N. W. corner,
bearing the date 1592. Charles H. Harrison the well
known Broadland Artist lived here for many years
(
see row 33
). One of the best moulded ceilings in
Yarmouth may be seen at the boot maker’s shop at
the S. W. corner. This shop was typical of many that
existed in the town”. This row was not mentioned
in the 1936 survey.
Photos of the Jews Synagogue, by Phillip
Rumbelow. 14th September 1945
(see map)
The Occupants, Row Forty Two, 1886
(From 42 Howard Street North to George Street)
North side:
1. Archbold, R. S., baker
2. Johnson, T., photographer
Row 42 row ran from 42 Howard Street North to 44
George Street.
3. Wade, Mrs.
Burton, W. W.
MISSION HALL
4. Bishop, Mrs. E.
5. Salter, Mrs., weaver
6. Fairweather, Mrs. M.
7. Johnson, J., photographer
8. Field, I., carpenter
9. Newby, J., tailor
10. Cutting, J., fisherman
11. Harvey, Misses, bonnet makers
12. Bristow, W., tailor
Gravestones in the Jews cemetary, outside Alma Gate.
394
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
The Occupants, Row Forty Two, 1913
The Occupants, Row Forty Two, 1936
(From 42 Howard Street North to George Street)
(From 42 Howard Street North to George Street)
North side:
North side:
1a. Greenfield, Mrs.
1. Mc Colgan, Charles,
1. Bailey, Mrs.
1a. Durrant, Benjamin George
2. Park, George
2. Cropley, John
4. Darby, Charles
3. Wolage, Alfred
5. Dunn, Mrs.
4. Darby, Mrs.
South side:
5. Vincent, William
6. Fairweather, Misses
South side:
7. Wells, William
6. Blyth, Edward
8. Harvey, John
7. Baldry, Mrs.
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE
8. Stanton, Albert
9. Pillar, Henry
9. Page, William James
The Occupants, Row Forty Two, 1927
(From 42 Howard Street North to George Street)
North side:
1. Barnes, Charles
1a. Miller, William
2. Cropley, John
3. Wolage, Alfred
4. Darby, Mrs.
5. Vincent, William
South side:
6. Fairweather, Miss
7. Baldry, Mrs.
8. Harvey, John
9. Fisher, William Alfred
Photo 17th November 1995.
395
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
44
45
Row 42 was from George Street, between nos. 44 and 45.
396
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
ROW FORTY THREE
(Palmer gives no
name)
Dassett’s Row, 1599 (Johnson’s notes)
The Occupants, Row Forty Three, 1936
(From 25 Howard Street North)
South side:
Hogarth’s Row
4. Bishop, Mrs.
Taylor and Fulcher’s South, 1829
5. Hunter, Oscar
This row ran from Charlotte Street, and was a
narrow and very gloomy row, built over at the
east end, having lofty houses on each side. Sir
Thomas Meadowe had property in this row (see
Fullers Hill and Hopton Hall). On the east side
of Charlotte Street there was a house, belonging
to the Dassett family. John Dassett, early in the
reign of Charles Ist., took a leading part in the
endeavour to change the form of government from
two Bailiffs to a Mayor. He must surely be turning
in his grave now. He sent a petition to the King in
Council, complaining of the disorderly and factious
government of the town, which resulted in a “Quo
Warranto”. He died in 1637, aged 67. Upon a
pillar at the southwest corner of the chancel of the
Parish Church, there was a small mural monument
of curious workmanship, exhibiting a reclining
female figure, above which was an oval in brass
with a Latin inscription to Hannah Dassett,
who died in 1631 at the age of 27. Above
was a shield emblazoned with the arms of
Dassett. Also on the east side of Charlotte
Street was a house belonging to John Manby,
who died in 1754, aged 67. He married
Theodosia, daughter of Jonathan Calthorpe,
who died in 1777, aged 84. Another John
Manby married Mary, daughter of Robert
Moore, yeoman, of Burgh St. Margaret,
and they had an only daughter, Virtue, who
married David Absolon, linen draper. Johnson
adds how Taylor and Fulcher were famous for
the tallow candles at their chandler’s shop in
the Market Place. The east end of this row is
remarkable for a three foot entrance, which
opens out to 7 and 1/2 feet near the west end,
where one is informed by tablet that in 1859 it
was widened. “There were still two splendid
open timbered overhanging houses on the
south side at the east entrance, (the walls of
which were) interspersed with flat bricks now
rarely met with in the town”. This row was not
mentioned in the 1936 survey.
6. Hood, Fred (previously stated as Hook?)
7. Tovell, John Frederick
8. Watts, Stephen
9. Goodrum, George William
10. Woolston, Mrs.
11. Smith, Sidney Charles
North side:
1. King, William
Photo 17th November 1995
397
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
The Occupants, Row Forty Three,
1886
(From Market Place to Howard Street
North)
Ellis’ workshop
Roberts, A. H.
Hunter, F.
Reed, Mrs.
Fletcher, R., watchmaker
Betts, H.
Annerton, J.
Thrower, E.
Kline, P.
Balls, S.
This is the
east end of the
row, but now
blocked by
buildings.
The Occupants, Row Forty Three,
1913
(From 25 Howard Street North)
South side:
4. Bishop, John
5. Yeates, Charles
6. Butcher, Richard
7. Gates, Arthur William
8. Smith, Mrs. C.
9. Goodrum, George William
11. Gardner, Mrs.
North side:
1. Meffen, John Edward
The Occupants, Row Forty Three,
1927
(From 25 Howard Street North)
South side:
4. Bishop, Mrs. 5. Hunter, Oscar
6. Hook, Frederick
7. Dougal, William
8. Watts, Stephen
9. Goodrum, George William
10. Woolston, Mrs.
11. Short, Mrs.
North side:
1. King, William
Occupants 1936
, from 25 Howard
Street North
south side:
4. Bishop, Mrs.
5. Hunter, Oscar
6. Hood, Fred
7. Tovell, John Frederick
8. Watts, Stephen
9. Goodrum, George William
10. Woolston, Miss
11. Smith, Sidney Charles
Row 43 was down the north side of the bakery, and not
along this pavement.
North side:
1. King, William
398
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
ROW FORTY FOUR,
ANGEL ROW
(Palmer)
(Johnson gave no additional names)
required them to go back on board their vessel.
One of the seamen refused, and another tried to
persuade him, whereupon the former, named
Erenshussen, drew a six inch knife, and plunged it
to the hilt into the heart of Heusman who fell down
Running from Charlotte street to the Market Place,
Row 44 was known as Angel
Row, taking its name from
the ancient Inn that then
stood at the southeast corner.
The Angel was one of the
oldest Inns in the town,
and stood on the site now
occupied by “Woolworth’s”
Store. The same site before
the war, was home to the
Plaza cinema. The Angel Inn
is depicted on Corbridge’s
map, with a sign projecting
from the front, and a balcony
to the first floor windows,
which were brought further
out by Palmer’s time. The
sign remained until long
into the 19th. century. Upon
it was an Angel holding a
scroll. Public entertainers
performed in the 18th.
century at taverns, and
John Ives related how, in 1736, he went to see
the famous Mr. Laisser at the Angel Inn. Another
use to which Inns were put was that of receiving
subscriptions to publications. Thus in 1728, when
Corbridge proposed to publish his “actual survey”,
subscriptions were “to be taken at Yarmouth at
the Angel by Mr. Moore, and Mr. Appleyard at
the Wrestlers.” King William IV, when Duke of
Clarence, visiting Yarmouth, stayed at the Angel
accompanied by his Duchess (afterwards Queen
Adelaide). They had arrived by sea, but left by
road. A number of famous deaths have occurred
here: The approach to the stables were at the back
of the Inn, through a passage at the south end of
the house. In 1836, the Rev. Richard Pillans of
Larling was driving his carriage into this passage,
when his head caught the beam which supports the
house, and the sudden jerk broke his neck causing
instant death. Palmer relates how - For many years
previous to the election of 1865, the Angel was
used as the headquarters of the Tory party, and
from the “leads” of this house their candidates
used to address the crowds in the Market Place. At
the other end of this row, at the southwest corner,
facing Charlotte Street, was a public house called
the “City of London Tavern”. There in 1865 a foul
murder was committed. Some foreign seamen
belonging to a French Galliot (named Secundus),
delivering wheat at Watling’s quay on the west side
of the Haven above the bridge, were drinking there
at about 10 O’clock in the evening, when the Master
The ancient Angel Inn, left.
Row
44
21.2.2007
399
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
dead. This “City of London Tavern” was formerly
called the “Green Man and Boot”. Foresters were
great frequenters of ale houses hence the sign, the
Green Man, but, conjectures Palmer, the Boot
might have come from the french word boute a
cask ? In the Angel Row there was a pub called
The “Cross Keys”, which in 1752 was devised by
Robert Ward to his son Gabriel. There was also a
public house called “The Nag’s Head”. The house
and shop at the northeast corner had for a long
time been occupied by a chemist and druggist.
It formerly belonged to Mr. Stacey, and was
purchased from him by Mr. Francis Markland
of Cheltenham, and occupied by his son, Edwin
Markland. All this is again good evidence I feel,
that Charles Palmer had ready access to many
of the deeds of the properties in the town, no
doubt held in the store rooms of his offices as a
Solicitor. In 1898 another murder took place in row
44, known as “the Angel Row murder”. The murder
occurred of Thursa Ann Bensley, known as Maud
Bensley, was perpetrated at a cottage in this row.
(Ecclestone’s extracts)
Royal, Mrs. M
Hunt, Miss
Garrett, E., Angel Hotel tap
Harbord, J., labourer
Golder, J., bricklayer
Hughes, Mrs. E.
Stygall, C., carter
Barnes, W.
Money, F., coal carter
The Occupants, Row Forty Four, 1913
(From 26 Market Place to Howard Street North)
North side:
Johnson stated: “The long stable yard entered under
a covered way at South is typical of the Inns of the
past. The beam at the entrance was responsible for
the death of the Rev. R. Pillans, who struck his
head in 1836 whilst driving his coach into the yard.
King William IV, when Duke of Clarence, slept at
the Angel. This Row is also associated with the
Angel Row murder, and the City of London Tavern
murder, at the S. W. corner in 1865”. This Row was
not mentioned in the 1936 Row Survey.
1. Danks, Mrs.
2. King, Mrs.
3. Smith, Mrs. H.
4. Potter, Mrs. H.
5. Leach, Charles, manufacturing confectioner
6. Tillyer, Mark
Nos. 1, 12, 13, 14, were occupied on the
north side in 1955, and nos. 24, 25, and 26 on the
south side. Miss E. Houghton had been here since
at least 1926.
7. Docwra, Montague
9. Chaney, Mrs.
10. Yeates, Charles
The Occupants, Row Forty Four, 1886
(From Market Place to Howard Street North)
12. Matthews, William Thomas
13. Lodge, Edward
South side:
14. Thompson, George
Dublack, T., mariner
South side:
King, E., laundress
19. Watts, William
Jerman, Mrs.
20. Seabourn, Richard
Leach, C., sugar boiler
21. Bezance, Mrs.
Cardful, Mrs.
22. England, Richard
Carter, Mrs.
25. Moore, Miss
Royal, Mrs.
26. Wallbank, Mrs.
Tubby, R.
Palmer, W.
400
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
Row44
SirThomasMeadowe's
property
1772
asper
map
theElizabethan
houses
Row44
theAngelInn
the"CrossKeys"1752)and"Nag'sHead",wereinrow44
Row43
asper
1906
map
theAngelInn
14
26
13
12
11
10
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5
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25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
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ReubenLeachwasstillhere
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asper
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Looking towards the
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13. Smith, Ernest
14. Dyball, Edward Thomas
South side:
18. Beckett, Albert Victor
19. Jermany, Edward
20. Seabourn, Mrs.
21. Yeates, Charles
22. Childs, Mrs..
25. Houghton, Miss E. E.
26. Plane, Ralph
401
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
The Occupants, Row Forty Four,
1927
(From 26 Market Place to Howard Street
North)
North side:
The row curved to
the right of the house
now being re-built.
(21.2.07)
1. Delaney, Timothy
2. Wise, George
3. Buck, Mrs.
4. Woolston, John
5. Leach, Charles, manufacturing confec-
tioner
6. Dyball, Edward
7. Lea, Henry
8. Corke, George
9. Gown, Charles, Isaac
10. Hunter, Oscar
12. Collins, John Edward
13. Wolff, Mrs. Violet
14. Dyball, Edward Thomas
South side:
18. Beckett, Albert Victor
19. Jermany, Edward
20. Seabourn, Richard
21. Yeates, Charles
22. Charles, Mrs.
25. Myall, Carl Robert
26. Plane, Ralph
The Occupants, Row Forty
Four, 1936
(From 26 Market Place to Howard Street
North)
North side:
1. Delaney, Timothy
Inside the vodafone shop
21.02.07.
4. Woolston, John
5. Leach, Reuben
7. Greenacre, William
2. Thompson, Thomas
9. Gown, Charles, Isaac
10. Hunter, O.,
12. Childs, Mrs. Alice
3. Buck, Mrs.
402
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
17th November 1995.
Work going on between Row 44 and
Market Row. 21.2.07.
403
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ROW FORTY FIVE,
SAINT JOHN’S HEAD ROW
(Palmer)
St. John’s Head Row (Johnson’s notes)
Woolsey’s School Row
Mortuary Row (A. Holt; E. Goate, 1940)
Row forty five ran from North Quay to
George Street, and was called St. John’s Head Row
from the public house at the Southwest corner.
For many years this represented the severed head
of St. John the Baptist on a Charger, or large dish.
Christopher Harbord had a house in this row. His
only child, Hannah, married Timothy Steward, the
founder of the Steward family in Yarmouth. Tobias
Harbord, his brother, voted in the Norfolk election
in 1714 for Sir Jacob Astley and Mr. De Grey. He
made a will in 1755, and left his dwelling house to
Mrs. Steward. He also made a settlement in favour
of her son Timothy Steward, of which Charles Le
Grys, and John Ramey were the trustees. The house
adjoining the King’s Head to the South was at the
beginning of the 18th. Century, the property of
Benjamin Eagle.
“This is a very wide row, wrote Harry Johnson in
1927, “and on the north side is Troy Alley. Mrs.
Woolsey had her school at the north-west corner site
now occupied by the town mortuary. The visitor is
advised to visit the fine flint fronted ancient house
now occupied by Messrs. Boulton’s on the North Quay,
to the north of this row”. (Johnson also thought it
worthy of preservation!) Previously this house over-
looked the river. There still exists a splendid porch at
the east of the building, giving a good impression of
the class of buildings and residences that existed in this
district centuries ago”. (Alas this porch has long since
disappeared. It does however indicate that the main
entrance to the building, at least in recent centuries,
was on the east side, and away from the North Quay.
There never was enough room for a porch to project
out into the road.) “St. John’s Head Row is of average
width. The sheds and stores on the south side should
be removed. Next to no. 22 near the east end of the
row is an old wall with hit and miss window”.
Looking towards George Street.
Detail of airphoto 26th
June 1946. © M.O.D.
Row 47
This area
flattened by
a bomb, 11th
April 1941.
On April 11th. 1941 at 0017 hrs., a bomb fell upon
an Anderson shelter here, killing seven people.
Amongst them were the occupants of no. 57 North
Quay, which was then two flats. One was a lady
with three children, and a husband in the navy,
occupants of the first floor flat, and also Alice
Holt’s (nee Wilson) sister in law’s sister, surnamed
Merrison, whose husband was away in the army.
The ground floor is now a shop, but then was the
Merrison’s flat. St. Francis Way is now on the line
of Row 45.
St John’s Head pub.
Row 45
404
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
Row45
Row 45 maps
gardens
and
courtyards
old
cross
row
Row45
Auburn's
Gardens
Gomme/Speed's
Map1668
GeorgeStreet
from1772map
Row45
Troy
Alley
Row45
StJohn's
HeadP.H.
StJohn's
HeadP.H.
from1906map
Row 45, from George Street, about 1870.
405
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
Top photo, 1959; bottom photo 1961, when the render was removed.
406
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
The Occupants, Row Forty
Five, 1886
(from George Street to North
Quay)
Barker, J., cab driver
Blake
Powley, Mrs.
Dublack, M., beatster
King, Miss, seamstress
Starling, R., fisherman
Underwood, W.
Rowland, Mrs.
Mills, J.
Cooper, J., carter
Ling, H., chimney sweep
Brown, A.
Howes, F.
Smith, Miss
...Troy Alley...
small cottages
Leader, J., cow keeper
Barker, Mrs.
Mills, M., photographer
Miller, G. E. H.
English, W., bricklayer
crew, J., coal heaver
Parker, Miss
The trophy cabinet, above.
Perrin the chimney sweep.
For the St John’s Head public
house, also see North Quay.
407
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ROW FORTY SIX,
SEWELL’S ROW
(Palmer)
Nags Head Row (Johnson)
Sewell the Grocer’s Row, 1829
Row 46, from Howard Street to Market place, was
called Sewell’s Row, from the grocers shop and
house next to it, facing the Market, for more than
half a century occupied by a family called Sewell,
members of the Society of friends. Johnson’s notes
point out that “Pigott’s Directory announces Ann
Rudd, dealer in Turnery, Nags Head Row. This row
has a covered east entrance in common with most
of the market rows, and the rear of this entrance
is worthy of notice. The flat tiles extending to the
roof, as used, are not often met with in the town”.
In 1936, Sewell’s Row had a large old house
(now made into three tenements in a court), and a
short alley off its north side. There is also a good
house near to the end of this row against Howard
Street, and two others on its south side, all with
sash barred windows of the 18th. century. These
stand slightly back. Near to the Market Square on
the north side is a tile hung house of three storeys
with sash barred windows, this house is part of
Back’s Saloon Bar (Row Survey)
The Occupants, Row Forty Six, 1886
see under Market Row
The Occupants, Row Forty Six, 1913
from Market Place
Photo 1987.
Row closed after the fire,
14th Sept. 1995.
1. George, Mrs. E.
Dakin, Leonard, lamp lighter
The Occupants, Row Forty Six, 1927
from Market Place
1. George, Mrs. E.
The Occupants, Row Forty Six, 1936
from Market Place
1. George, Mrs. E.
408
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
26th February 2007, Fred Brockton the landlord,
returning to “Back to Backs” public house,
came to
Yarmouth from Slough. In 2007, Slough is suffering
greatly from mass immigration. Slough council
estimate that they are £1.4 million short of central
Government fund; s, but so many have come into
Slough, there are only 6 council officers to check
properties, that unscrupulous persons have thrown up
new shanty towns in their gardens, and the council
have no hope of either checking thousands of addresses
or of enforcing any planning laws. The problems
are perhaps worst in schools which are there faced
with sudden large numbers of Polish and Lithuanian
immigrants with children who can speak no word of
English, and no teachers who can speak their language.
The employment minister, Dawn Primarolo was on
television last night in a debate (ITV 8.11.07), but
the problem is the lack of any accurate figures and
the current lack of ID cards which are now belatedly
to be introduced. We have a considerable influx of
foreign workers here in Yarmouth, but with so much
redundant holiday accommodation here, the effect
has rather been to displace the undesireable element
of previous British migrants in exchange for persons
willing to work.
409
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
asper
map
1772
theAngelInn
Row 46 maps
thecoachyard
Row46
MarketRow
"agoodhouse
neartheendoftherow
againstHowardStreet"
thismayhave
beenthe"Nag'sHead",sinceitran
betweenthetworows.
asper map
1906
28
1
2
8
9
21
29
17
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allfrontedontoMarketRow
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1985
Court'sstore(burneddown13/9/95)
"Wimpey"
then
"BurgherKing"
(closed1991)
410
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
ROW FORTY SEVEN
PAGE THE PIPE-MAKER’S ROW.
(Palmer)
Page The Pipe-maker’s Row, 1829 (John-
son)
Golden Ball Row
White Swan Row, 1800
This row was from North Quay to George
Street. A public house next to it, but front-
ing George Street, was in 1805 the “White
Swan”, and in later years the “Golden Ball”.
It was the property of Lieutenant Edmund
Bennett, and Elizabeth, his wife. Mr. R. W.
Taylor, the last of the local clay pipe makers
had his main factory on the north side mid-
way in the row, and retailed tobacco, ciga-
rettes, pipes etc., in his shop to the south
of the row at no. 2, North Quay. The pipe
factory is now used as a colourman’s ware-
house. Pigott’s Directory announces Thomas
Page, pipe makers, St. John’s Head South
Row; and the only other maker then was
James Taylor of the Black Swan Row.
This row was not mentioned in the 1936
Row Survey.
The Occupants, Row Forty seven,
1886
(from George Street to North Quay)
Brooks, Mrs.
Killett, C., tailor
Gooch, Mrs. H.
Woods, R., labourer,
Hatch, J., tin man
Warnes, B., tailor
Newby, F., tailor
Brown, J. G., rope maker
Gall, W., smacksman
Taylor, I. C., pipe maker
Crew, Mrs.
Reeve, J.
Lambert, C.
The Occupants, Row Forty seven, 1913
( from 67 George Street to North Quay
1. Miller, John, registered lodging house
3. Pomba, Mrs.
3. Taylor, Arthur Charles, clay tobacco pipe manu-
facturer
4. Jermany, Albert
5. Cutting, Walter
7. Land, George
South side:
8. Ellis, James
9. Goodrum, Robert
10. Hannant, Mrs.
11. Maystone, James
Row 47, 1987
12. Frosdick, George
13. Cutting, Mrs.
14. Eade, Josiah
15. Styles, Thomas
16. Lambert, William
17. Brown, John
18. Dunlop, David
19. Harvey, Mrs.
The Occupants, Row Forty seven, 1927
( from 67 George Street to North Quay
1. Miller, John, registered lodging house
2. Littlewood, Albert Peter John
3. Hipposon, Mrs.
4. Jarmey, Albert Robert
5. Doyle, Alfred
6. Hubbard, George, James
7. Nixon, Mrs.
South side:
8. Ellis, James
9. Goodrum, Robert
10. Hannant, Mrs.
11. Sunman, Mrs.
12. Frosdick, George
13. Cutting, Mrs.
14. Cutting, Walter
411
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
15. Cutting, Percy
16. Sayer, Ernest Albert
17. Brown, John
18. Page, William
19. Bradford, William
The Occupants, Row Forty seven, 1936
( from 67 George Street to 59 North Quay
2. Swallow, William
3. Rowland, James
4. Clarke, Robert
5. Simmons, Alfred George
6. Hubbard, George, James
7. Byford, Mrs.
South side:
8. Aldridge, Arthur James
9. Goodrum, Horace
10. Hannant, Rupert
11. Frosdick, Albert
12. Frosdick, George
13. Gates, John Samuel
14. Cutting, Mrs.
15. Beckett, Harry
16. Goodings, Alfred George
17. Brown, John
18. Belch, William Arthur
19. Bradford, William
(This is continued from Row 27). John Ruffold
wrote the stories of several old characters found
in Yarmouth at the end of the 19
th
century. The
originals are to be found in NPRO.
“What John Cobb really was
to the police in his day was
their friend and helper. Many
jobs he done at their homes
for a trifle towards his keep,
lodging at a working men’s
lodge in row 47. His people
paid for his bed weekly but
would never let John have the
money himself. His landlady
sent up to his parents resi-
dence, and the money would
be paid. His jobbing around
for all was his mainstay for
food, “bacca”and drink. John
Cobb was a help to the police
in this direction; At a firecall
or a fire in the town John
was there calling on fireman
en route (before the days of
universal telephones). John
excelled in his knowledge of
every fire hydrant in the town
and Southtown included. He
knew where they all were,
when the police did not know
Photo. 28.2.2007
Row 47
1/2
412
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
where to locate them. John would run a hose to one
even unknown to some police. John was thought to
be not all there in himself, but was a past master on
the finding and knowing where all the fire hydrants
were. Because of this he was very friendly with all the
police, young or old and they had always a job or two
for him of which he did to their satisfaction whilst on
duty. When getting away was impossible, John was
their man. He served others good and well.
with the custom. My old pal the other J.R. (John
Runniff alias “Bally”) was also present at the time
John Cobb was in the act of frying the pancakes.
Seeing he had company, he began to snort. As we
knew his ways we knew quite well he was flustered
by our company: so J.R. (alias Bally) began to
tease John Cobb. Bally himself had just come in
from the tap in the yard after washing. He had his
bald head exposed and stood near the fire drying
himself and teasing John all the time, saying “you
can’t make pancakes”. John snorted and spat whilst
tossing the pancakes up in the frying pan. Bally kept
it up about making pancakes. The next I saw was
Bally had the half cooked pancake running down
the back of his bald pate that he finished washing
whilst John Cobb went out of the Lodge snorting
and talking to himself who can’t make pancakes:
Poor old Bally got the contents of the frying pan.
John had no breakfast that morning”.
Now the life of John in his early days was brought
up to love the church. His people being strict church
people. For John knew quite well the days of feasts
and high days of the church for often he was seen at
them although on the rough life: John could not bear
to dine with other men. He would wait until everyone
was out of the lodge and then he would come and have
a quiet meal. I saw an episode on one Shrove Tuesday,
when John came quietly to make pancakes keeping up
Row 47 maps
413
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
Q u a y
House
Munday’sHouse,
see Hall Quay
Row 48
Row 45
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414
