Chapter 20, Rows 58 to 67
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
ROW FIFTY EIGHT
(un-named by Palmer)
Elephant and Castle Row (1829)
(H.B.Johnson)
Last the Baker’s Row (1898)
(H.B.Johnson)
North Lobster Row (1756) (deeds
of no.10)
Yarmouth, in common with most towns
can refer to times when the taverns and
alehouses were more numerous than
today, and many a well known sign
has passed, only to be remembered
by name, such as the “Elephant and
Castle”, had occupied the site between
this Row and no 56 Row, wrote H. B. J.
The Public House that was once the
Elephant and Castle, here seen as the
“Market Distillery”, about 1900. It
was called the “Red House” in the mid
1950’s.
“Row no. 58, from Howard Street to the Market Place”. Palmer
has nothing further to say here!
In the Row Survey, 1936, “A clearance here exposes a Tudor
window in the back wall of house in next Row 60.”
At no.7 in this row lived Robert Wilson, whose wife was
Gertrude (Pitchers) from Beccles. They had a four children:
Frances (born 1910), Robert (1911), Alice (1913), and Dorothy
(1915). The two older children had been born in row 11. The
younger two were born here at no.7. Robert Wilson was a
maltster, (see Row 134 about work in the malthouse) and
joined the army in the Great War. He was killed in France.
Having been used to heavy lifting he helped with supply, but
volunteered for the front. Gertrude Wilson was then left a
widow with four young children at the age of about 26. Later
she remarried, and moved to row 56, the next row north.
The deeds of nos.10 and 11 have a site plan. The dwellings
were conveyed together by Rhoda Jane Rainer of 46 Howard
Street North, widow, for £145 to Percival Hurry Palmer of
37 Market Place on 18th March, 1829. There was also a
conveyance from Mrs. Rainer to the Corporation in 1942,
on 25th. June. It appears to have been forgotten that it had
already been sold to Palmers! Nos. 10 and 11 were formerly
no 9, becoming nos 10, 11 and 12.
On 28th. Feb. 1884, there was a conveyance from
Benjamin Charles Child, lithographer, to William Rouse, and
Sarah his wife. At that time it was three tenements, formerly
known as no.9. There is a small, rather poor sketch map.
William Rouse was described as a bricklayer, and had a
mortgage with the Great Yarmouth Temperance Building
Society for 100 pounds, the property having been purchased
for 170 pounds, and was let to Hannah Gotts Rivett, and John
Mullon, at the rentals of 2/6, 3/, and 2/6 per week respectively.
It is very interesting now that a bricklayer in those days would
have invested in property in this manner The earliest deed
however is the probate of the will of Thomas Riches, 13th.
August 1800, and the probate of the will of Mary Riches, 8th
Nov.1807. Thomas Riches was “town ship-maker”, and the
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The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
only son of Able Riches of the same town, a butcher, and
Rebecca, his wife, who died intestate. His daughters were
Rebecca Welch and Phoebe Davis. The dwellings were
in his own occupation. The dwelling was then passed to
Robert Cory by sale.
There was towards the east, the ground of Mrs.Krem,
widow, and then belonging to John Todd, schoolmaster.
This was described as lying between a common lane or
row called the NORTH LOBSTER ROW of the north
part, and another common lane or row, formerly called
MR.FULLER’S NORTH ROW, and now the SOUTH
LOBSTER ROW, on the south part. This is mentioned
in an indenture dated 23 and 24th days of March 1756.
I
have not seen these Row names mentioned elsewhere.
No’s 12 and 12a of this row were sold on 17th April
1961, by John Leslie Smith of 85, College Road, Margate,
to Palmer’s, Gt.Yarmouth. Mary Ann Smith of College
Road Margate, the previous owner, had died on 16th.
Sept 1960, and the property was sold for 100 pounds.
It comprised two dwelling houses with out buildings
grounds and yards. The earlier deeds had been lost.
Percival Hurry Palmer bought no.22 for
£400. Photo is of James Hurry Palmer.
The deeds of no.15 in this row, had a site plan, and on
Sept 16th 1864, from Thomas Maddeys, builder, out of
business, and who died on May 22nd.1865. The property
also seems to have been owned by
Joseph Waldron Wright, builder,
then out of business, who passed it
to Sam Rogers of Gorleston, another
landlord, who passed it to William
Pearson of Herringfleet, railway
signalman.
The Property Market
It is certainly
remarkable how ordinary working
men could own investments in
property. Property may now be
more substantial, but it can only
be purchased in most cases by
proportionately large mortgages,
i.e. 95 or 100%, which latterly have
been crippling for most people with
interest rates becoming as high as 16%
in 1998, and then inevitably causing
a crash in values, the like of which
had never been seen before. Thence
the property passed to his brother,
Thomas Waldron Wright. In Nov.1920
there was a deed between William
Pearson, of 3 Wrights Passage,
Albion Road, and retired signalman,
William Charles Benjafield, of 33
Northmarket Road. This was then sold
for 70 pounds. The whole plot was
25 feet and 8 inches long, and rather
less wide, a total of 46 square yards.
Now this site is car parking for some
two vehicles. On 26th.Nov.1940, the
property was conveyed by William
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A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
Charles Benjafield to the Corporation.
The mortgage was redeemed with
Midland Bank for the princely sum of
5 pounds. Disgracefully little, under
compulsory purchase, even if the site
were empty, which it wasn’t, as it was
“including the dwelling house erected
thereon.”
Number 22 in this row has a poster
advertising the sale of no.9 Quay
Austin Row (Row 61), 4 and 5 Dene
Austin Row (60), and a dwelling
house, no.17 in the Elephant and
Castle Row, no.58, which had the
Ormesby water laid on. The rows 60
and 61 were referred to as being wide
rows, having been recently greatly
improved, being paved with clinkers,
and underdrained, and are becoming
“leading thoroughfares”. There was
a keeping room, two sleeping rooms,
a yard, and so on. This dwelling was
conveyed to Palmer’s at a relatively
early date, being the 13th March 1919.
From Albert English Kerridge, of 183
King Street, a draper, to Percival
Hurry Palmer of 37 Market Place.
This was then known as no. 22, but
formerly no.17. Sold for the sum of 400
pounds. Quite a substantial sum then,
considering that some surrounding
properties were acquired for a mere 5
pounds at a later date. On 19th.April
1883 Thomas Archer, then of 92 King
Street, Gentleman, bequeathed this
property to his wife Anna, and she
in turn bequeathed it to her daughter
Charlotte Mary Field. In due course it
then went to Albert English Kerridge.
(7th.June 1916). It may be said that
neither war seems to have affected the
sale of these properties.
The Occupants, Row Fifty Eight,
1886
(from Market Place to Howard
Street)
Russell, Mrs.F., tailoress
Bacon, Mrs.
Bowles,T., waiter
Obey, F.
Blake, Miss
Holland, Mrs.s.
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The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
Driver, E.
The Occupants, Row Fifty Eight, 1927
Trimley, E., gardener
(from Market Place to Howard Street South)
Brown, S.
North side
Tomkins, T., mariner
6. Barney, Edgar
Sharpe, V.
7. Neve, Thomas
Sayers, Mrs.
8. Tovell, Philip
Byford, I., costermonger
South side
Foreman, Miss
10. Kersey, Harry
Green, D., labourer
11. Kent, Albert Edward
Sparham, J., shipwright
15. Leggett, Charles
Rivett, H., basket maker
16. Brand, Bertie
Gotts, J., chair maker
19. Kirkham, William
Rivett, J.
20. Coleman, Mrs.
Mutton, J., labourer
21. Coleman, Herbert
22. Yallop, Mrs. A.
The Occupants, Row Fifty Eight, 1913
(from Market Place to Howard Street S.)
The Occupants, Row Fifty Eight, 1936
North side
(from Market Place to Howard Street S.)
6. Waters, John
North side
7. Wilson, Robert
6. Larkins, Miss
8. Wright, James
South side
South side:
10. Seaman, Alfred
10. Hall, George
11. Mills, Arthur
12. Garwood, Charles
15. Leggett, Walston
13. Williams, Luke
16. Pitchers, George
Harry
14. Balls, George
19. Kirkham, William
15. Leggett, Charles
20. Coleman, Victor
Charles
16. Rowland, James
19. Dodson, Henry
21. Coleman, Herbert
20. Spinks, Walter
22. Yallop, Mrs. A.
21. Star, Mrs. S.
22. Denninton, Herbert
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Elephant and Castle
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
Row 58 Map
by Henry Swinden
63
1/2
58
56
60
63
66
69
"Elephant and Castle"
The garden
Friend's
Meeting
House
12
69
Selbourne House
70
9
8
71
Mariner's Tavern
73
72
74
75
77
76
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The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ROW FIFTY NINE (Palmer gives no name)
Bailiff Woolhouse’s Row (1558,1567,1579,1590) (names
from Johnson’s notes including those below)
Upcher’s Row
Mitchell’s School Row
Crown and Anchor Row
Lacon’s Bank at the northwest corner was the site of
Ralph Woolhouse’s fine mansion in the sixteenth century.
Yarmouth’s residences then were noted for panelling,
porches, ceilings, and chimney pieces.
In 1992 the two magnificent full length chimney pieces
are still preserved in this modernised building.
H. B. J. wrote that “The Crown and Anchor was formerly
‘The Mitre’, then ‘The Sun’. Many large square stones
in the front wall on the south indicated the remains of
a former residence of importance, where there was
the position of an archway bricked up”.
Palmer wrote: “Row fifty nine, from the Quay to Howard
Street. At the north west corner in 1874 was the bank of
Sir E.K.Lacon, Bart., : Lacons, Youell and Co., which had
a modern white brick front, from a design by Mr.Phipson.
It occupied the site of an old Elizabethan house, in which
all the principle rooms were panelled with Oak. In two
of them were carved oak chimney pieces reaching from
the floor to the ceiling, bearing the date 1598. That which
was then in the private room of the bank bears in the
frieze, the initials R. W., being those of Ralph Woolhouse,
Bailiff in 1558, 1567,1579 and 1590,
a man of considerable influence in his
day. Mr. Le Grice, then member (of
Parliament) for Yarmouth, writing to
the Bailiffs in 1586 spoke of him ‘I
have known him a long time by good
experience, to be both wise, honest,
and discrete, and as good a townsman
as any among you, (without offence to
any man be it spoken). I fear you have
but few such among you. I would you
had many in wisdom, government and
experience to match him’.”
Row 59, 1987.
It was during Woolhouse’s term of
office in 1580, that Scroby sand
became an island with plants and
grass growing on it, and they called
it “Yarmouth Island”, and Bailiff
Woolhouse accompanied by about a
dozen knights and gentlemen from
the county, the Recorder, SubSteward,
Town Clerk, and certain Burgesses.
They fenced one end in with a hedge,
played bowls, and had their supper
there, and annexed the island for the
town. The Lord of the Manor of Scratby
The Mantlepiece in Ralph Woolmer’s House - now Lloyds Bank.
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A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
however, subsequently declared this illegal,
took possession for himself, and had a timber
house built there. The townsfolk visited there
to picnic and play bowls, and ships were
wrecked there. In 1582 sundry silks, wax,
and suchlike rich commodities were found
on the island. Shortly afterwards, the whole
island was reclaimed by the sea. In the
latter part of the 18th.century, before the
house became a bank, the house was in the
occupation of Peter Upcher, who married
one of the two daughters and coheirs of
John Ramey. It was subsequently divided and
occupied by Miss Susan Mitchell, and Miss
Harriet Mitchell, each of whom conducted
a school.
Between rows 59 and 61 stood several very
old houses fronting the Quay, of which
some slight vestiges still remained in 1874;
seemingly also in 1936.
On the south side of row 59 may be seen an
old flint wall in which can be traced the head
of an arch now filled up. This house in the
last century belonged to the Fuller family,
and afterwards to the Manclarkes. The central
house was an old tavern called the Mitre, and
afterwards, the Sun. It had a painted sign
depicting the sun in all its glory, and below,
the words “the best beer”, so that it might
be read as “the best beer under the sun”! In
1811 this house was partially taken down and
enlarged, the front was cased in white bricks,
and brought out to the pavement. It was then
called the “Crown and Anchor” and at that
time tenanted by Mr. George Wicks, who had
formerly been a jockey at Newmarket.
In the Row Survey, 1936: “On [a] wall
south side, trace the remains of a pointed
archway in freestone. [There is] also very tall
house of ancient walling, thick and sound. A
clearing on the west side would allow extra windows to
this building”.
Above, Lloyds Bank, 27th April 2007.
Mrs. Bream, who had a shop in Middlegate, had a house
in this row, the first house in behind Lloyds Bank. It was
possible to get from it into Row 57 also, from the back.
There was a ground-floor living-room facing the row with
a single window, and a kitchen behind. At the back of the
kitchen was a yard that backed onto row 57. The lounge
was quite dark. They kept barrows in the back yard that
they used to convey there market produce. The family was
fond of holding parties, and had a piano in the front-room.
When the war came, Mrs. Bream closed her shop at no.72
in Middlegate, and left to stay with a relative in London.
Kept in the front room also was a treadle sewing machine.
Mrs. Bream was born into the Bowles family in row 6 in
1872. Samuel Bream’s Row is no.69, and it is thought by
the descendants that he was their antecedent. This Sam
Bream was a subscriber to the Napoleonic Dinner
on the Quay. Jack Bream has an original copy
of the dinner list signed by Sam Bream. Vasilesa
Bream, daughter of the above Mrs. Bream, and
mother of Doris, was trained as a beatster. Mrs.
Bream paid for this training. The skill involved
in mending nets was evidently a valuable one.
Vasilesa later used to mend nets at her home,
using a wooden needle. The thread was wound
around a notch on the needle such that it was
possible to progressively slip it off during the
sewing. The skill was in keeping the holes in the
net the correct size; all with a continuous length
of thread. Before the war beatsters could work at
home to earn some money whilst looking after
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The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
their family. Another trade carried on at home then,
was making piece mats. These were made with strips
of material on a canvas backing through which they
were half pushed through, and half pulled through.
The strips were packed tightly together. Each one
inserted had the effect of tightening the one before it.
The children cut the strips, and father worked on the
mats. These floor mats were varying sizes say four
feet by three. One such would often sat in front of the
cooking range on the dredger.
7. Annison, John Samuel
8. Westgate, William George
9. Coleman, Arthur
The Occupants, Row Fifty Nine, 1936
(from 70 Howard Street South to Hall Quay)
North side
The Occupants, Row Fifty Nine, 1886
2. Hunter, Victor, William
(from Howard Street to Hall Quay)
3. McCord, Miss
Ives, C., firewood
maker
4. Bream, Samuel
South side
Browning, F.
5. Tomblison, Sidney R.
Riches, J., labourer
6. Cook, Arthur
Bulley, J., attendant at
asylum
7. Annison, John Samuel
Simpson, J.L., mariner
8. Westgate, William George
Vince, Mrs.A.
9. Coleman, Arthur
The Occupants, Row
Fifty Nine, 1913
(from Howard Street to
Hall Quay)
North side
1. Wooden, Thomas
2. Hunter, Frederick
3. Fairhead, Charles
4. Bream, Samuel
South side
Row 59, 1987
5. Westgate, Edward
7. Annison, John
Samuel
9. Coleman, Arthur
10. Hunter, William John
The Occupants, Row Fifty Nine, 1927
(from Howard Street South to Hall Quay)
North side
2. Hunter, Victor, William
3. McCord, Miss
4. Bream, Samuel
South side
5. Westgate, Mrs.
6. Cook, Arthur
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A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
Row 59 Map
1772
Row 57
75
74
73
72a
72
Row 59
71
70
Miss Hastings, milliner, 1886
1
2
4
3
5
6
75
3
2
6
1
74
1906
5
4
Row 57
73
72
4
1
3
2
Ives, C., firewood
maker, 1886
Row 59
70
71
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
69
19
1985
Row 57
Lloyds Bank
(now Lloyds
TSB)
72
Row 59
Midland Bank
(now HSBC)
19
69
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The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ROW SIXTY
DENESIDE AUSTIN ROW
(Palmer)
Deneside Austin Row
(names by H.B.Johnson)
Quakers Row
Oxford Row, (1867)
Bassingthwaite The Baker’s
Row
Randell The Tailors Row
Mr.Fuller’s North Row,
(1756)
(deeds of no.10, row
58)
South Lobster Row, (1756)
(deeds of no.10, row 58)
At the southwest corner
of this row where in the
thirteenth century the
Augustine Friars had a cell,
the Quaker Meeting House is
still now upon the site. There
is a burial ground here.
George Fox, founder of the
Quakers came to Yarmouth in
1655, and the Yarmouth adult
school held their meetings
here. The Oxford sign
displaced the White Horse at
the southeast corner. Ostend
Row this has been called,
being a corruption of Austin.
(H.B.Johnson)
Row 60 from Howard
Street to the Market Place.
At the southeast corner is
a liquor shop called “The
Oxford”, formerly “The White
Horse”, which in 1757 was
described as abutting upon
the Dene, there being then
no houses eastward. This row
was called Deneside Austin
Row, because it led from
the Denes or Deneside to a
building belonging to the
Row Sixty, about 1870
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Old deed signed by C.J.Palmer
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
Austin Friars, to whose convent, on the
confines of Southtown and Gorleston,
this was a cell. The arms of the cell were
three cross keys, and above, three dolphins
enbowed. John Pulham, described as a
learned friar of this house, died in 1304.
Herman Pulham was Bailiff in 1450 and
1459. Some remains (of this cell) are still to
be seen fronting Howard street, having a cut
flint front with stone dressings, the whole
now disfigured by whitewash. (As written
by C.J. Palmer.)
acquired from a friendship with Dawson
Turner, and a volume of his most
valuable autographs he presented to the
Prince Consort, by whom he was much
noticed. He died suddenly of heart disease
in 1850, unmarried, aged 53, and was
buried in St.George’s Chapel Windsor.
There is an engraved portrait of him by
Dawe. (C.J.P.) There was a great fire at
Windsor Castle last month Nov.1992.
On the south side of the row was early in
the seventeenth century a weaving shop,
possessed by a family called Theobald.
Priscilla Theobald, widow, married, prior
to 1778, Samuel Jay, shipmaster.
An arched doorway with a square heading,
having quatrefoils in the spandrils, all of
Caen stone, led to an apartment measuring
sixty five feet from north to south, and
eighteen feet from east to west, with several
splayed windows towards the west, all of
which are now bricked up. The upper part
of this doorway, (an engraving of which
is in the Perlustration) may be seen from
Howard Street, but the floor
of the apartment is now some
feet below the external level.
(This equates to the street
level originally, and is a vivid
illustration of the built up
soil and sand layers, like the
situation of the Tolhouse)
The Row Survey of 1936 says “Dene Side
Austin Row. A pair of 3 storey houses over
cellars, moulded brick string course over
In a house in Row 60 resided
for some years, Mr. Josiah
French, who was born at
Norwich, where his parents
were dissenters, and in a
very humble position. He
was apprenticed to a stocking
weaver, but found the
occupation quite repugnant.
He was noticed by William
Palgrave because of his
fine singing voice, and was
obtained a job as a clerk
at the customs house. He
became well known at musical
meetings, and was appointed
in 1821 to be a lay clerk
in the choir at St.George’s
Chapel, Windsor. He had
a passion for autographs,
Row 60, east end, 26.02.1996, recession and the first housing
crash looms.
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The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
first floor, sash barred
windows replacing
earlier casements.
These two houses
are said to have been
built by the Duke of
Norfolk (1690-1700).
In one, most of the
rooms are panelled
in large squares with
Bolection mouldings.
In the other house,
one room on the first
floor has one side
retaining panelling
and chimneypiece.
The staircases, though
rather dark now and
perhaps narrow, are
good with bold ballusters, newels and
rails. Light could be admitted. In this row
no.14a should be taken down to disclose a
fine old house in its rear. Also nos.16 and
16a should be demolished.”
Lower Ground floor, Friend’s Meeting House,
1987 (note the flint rubble wall).
had been married since 1st Jan 1834, bought
it for a price of £130.
It is interesting that so many well known
persons in the history of the town all had
shares in small row properties such as this.
There are inevitably recorded the signatures
of these people
1
, and there is a plan of the
site of the dwellings, including the yard,
washhouse and privy. A poster of sale for
auction on Thursday July 19th. 1888, of two
houses and fish Office, in rows 51 and 60.
The deeds of no.3 Row 60: The property
was conveyed May 1876, between
Arthur Henry Jenny of Ditchingham
Lodge, Bungay, and Thomas Topps,
fishmerchant. On 25th. and 26th.January
1819, was an indenture between Edward
Crabtree, Robert Cubitt, Edward Crabtree
the younger, and David Absolon, also
John Watson and Thomas Watson. David
Absolon was the second, and youngest son
of William Absolon, the china merchant
of 25 Market Row, and
was a woollen draper and
freeman of the town. Then
in 1838, between William
Absolon, (David’s son),
the Rev Fisher Watson,
and Samuel Tolver;
Ann Hannant, Edmund
Preston, Edward Harbord
Lushington Preston, also.
There were other sales
until Jan 1868, when
George Gooding, publican,
and Arthur Heaney Jenney
of Shadingfield lodge, who
No. 3 Row 60 was described as having
Friend’s Meeting (Quaker) House, Howard Street, 1987.
Planners please note that this building has a cut flint front hidden
under the render (see text).
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A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
The Mollett sisters, Lizzie and Harriet (back row); Annie and Polly, front row. See next page,
Harriet was mother of Miriam at no.12 Row 60. (For more on the Mollets see Row 142.)
a large sitting room, panelled walls, store
closet, small yard, and cistern of soft water,
washhouse, and two bedrooms. There were
also particulars of sale of six freehold
cottages on 28th June 1906. At that time
these were let for 14 pounds, six shillings
per annum, and then had four bedrooms,
sittingroom, landing and kitchen. There is
also a plan of the interior of the dwelling,
showing stairways, windows, and the general
layout.
No.4, Row 60, has a wealth of deeds. In
common with no.3, it was at one time
owned by Albert English Kerridge, and
purchased in 1874 by Lovewell Blake,
chartered accountant, Henry Edmund
Buxton Frederick Palmer, and Garwood
Burton Palmer, Trustees of the Norfolk
and Suffolk Permanent Benefit Building
Society. It was purchased for 95 pounds.
Alfred Kerslake was buried March 7th
1871, having married on Jan 3rd.1850,
Frances Elizabeth Hopkins, spinster, of
St.Mary Street Melcombe Regis. Her
father was John Hopkins, cornfactor.
Alfred Kerslake’s father was Joseph
Kerslake. They were married at the Holy
Trinity Church Weymouth in Dorset.
The property was sold in 1874, when
Charles John Palmer was the vendor’s
solicitor, for 78 pounds. Although
Palmers have had possession of this
property since 1874, there is a deed of
security from Lovewell Blake for three
shares in the property secured to Norfolk
Beams in the cellar at the friends meeting house
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The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
and Suffolk Building society, and I
wonder if in fact Lovewell Blake, or his
descendants, actually have an interest
unredeemed in this land to this day?
There seems nothing to the contrary.
In the deeds of 12 and 12a row 60, sold
17th April 1961, between John Leslie
Smith, of 85 College Road, Margate, and
Palmer’s, Gt.Yarmouth: Mary Ann Smith
of 85 College Road had died 16th. Sept
1960. The property then was sold for 100
pounds, and comprised two messuages
or dwelling houses, with outbuildings,
yards and grounds. The earlier deeds
had been lost and could not be found.
Mary Ann Smith had been at 38 Beatty
Road Gt.Yarmouth, was a spinster, and
had inherited 12 and 12a as part of the
estate of John Charles Drake. What their
relationship was, is not known.
Miriam King moved with her family into
number twelve in row 60 in 1915, having
been born that year on 28th. January, in
Elsie Road. Their house here survived
the war, only to be demolished in 1961
by Palmers store to create their car park.
Miriam’s father, Andrew Kidd Mair, was
a cooper, ex. Peterhead, who lived until
1939. He married Harriet Eliza Mollet
of row 142, daughter of the Salvationist
“Blue Ribbon Jimmy”. Miriam was later
to marry George Arthur King, who worked
at Norman’s furniture shop in the Market
Place. Their children , Daphne and Stuart,
were to become a social worker and a
teacher.
Andrew Kidd Mair. He was born in 1864, died
in 1939. He was a cooper from Peterhead.
He worked as a hawker on the beach after
retirement.from coopering.
At number twelve, thirty six steps led to the
top of the house, and then a further ten took
one to the attic, and a flat roof. Although
the house had a large cellar,entered from
the yard, so the coal was stored in a
cupboard beside the range. The front door
led straight from the kitchen into the row,
and the On the other side of the range
another cupboard held father’s coopering
tools. Another cupboard contained
Miriam’s books, and her brother’s train set.
Above the range in a a further cupboard,
714
Left to right: Harriet Mallett; Eliza (became
Mrs. Jermy); Polyanne (became Mrs Harrod).
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
In the garden at the friends meeting house , 1987.
could be found the best china. On hooks on
the wall were hung the everyday cups. A
window with heavy shutters looked out into
the row. Through into the sitting room, we
would find a large round table and a piano.
The main room at number twelve was let
in the summer to visitors. Cooking and
attendance were included at a price between
one pound and thirty shillings a week.
Above left, James Mallett, “Blue Ribbon Jimmy”, father of Harriett. Born 1850, he married Ann
Louisa Hewitt, who died after bearing him 4 girls and one boy.
Nearby in the row, Roger the cabby’s
Upstairs in the friends meeting house, 1987.
715
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
house was a “one up one down”. It was
next door to the Friend’s Meeting House.
In the row infront of number twelve stood
the gas lamp. To the side was found a yard,
in which two small houses were occupied
by Hales the cobbler, and Claxton, also a
cobbler. Further along the row,
William Chipperfield was known
as the “Umbrella Man.”
Ben Dye the taxidermist was blind, probably
due retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited
condition that is unusually common locally.
Ben Dye was a naturalist, and great friend of
Phillip Rumbelow, the local historian.
At no.10 in row 60 was, in 1936,
Harry William Pitchers, who had
come from Beccles, the brother
of Gertrude, who lived in row 58
somewhat earlier. Harry Pitchers
was listed as a clothier. He had
a second-hand clothing shop. He
also made wooden toys, and he
had roundabouts on the beach,
underneath the revolving tower.
His wife was Ada, and they had
three children, Ruth, Olive, and
Georgie. Olive took over the
second hand clothing business.
There was a big room and
workshop here. Olive now (1992)
lived in Granville Road.
1
There is David Absolon’s
signature a deed of 26 Jan 1819.
The Occupants, Row Sixty, 1886
(from Market Place to Howard Street )
1. Randell, S., tailor
2. Abigale,C., lightsman
3. Cooper, Mrs.
4. Frost, Mrs.
5. Leak, T.
6. Amos, Mrs.
7. Green, J.
Ben Dye with Arthur Patterson on a nature ramble.
716
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
8. Green, W.
4. Johnston, Arthur
9. Bean
5. Newson, James
10. Dye, B.
6. Nichols, Mrs.
11. Jenkinson, W.
7. Bitton, Mrs.
12. Ward, Mrs.
8. Chaplin, A.
13. Briggs, J.
9. Phillips, William
14. Burgess, Mrs.
10. Dye, Benjamin, Baker
15. Curtis, J., shoemaker
11. Palmer, William George
16. King, Mrs., dressmaker
12. Amis, Mrs.
17. Shrimpling, R.
12a, Hales, Herbert, boot maker
Burgess, D., bricklayer
13. Huggins, Harry
Lucas, C., insurance Agent
14. Vince, James Henry
FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE
14a. Mann, Henry
18. Nicholls, E.
15. Scarell, William
19. Lawson, ., dressmaker
16. Newby, Henry
Gurney, J.
South side
Jermey, R. (Jermy?)
17. Warren, Frederick
Grimmer, S., and Co., wholesale wine
and spirit stores, agent- Starling, W.
19. Beck, James
SALVATION ARMY HALL
20. Hall, N., fisherman
Wright, Mrs.
21. Palmer, J.
Woolbright, Henry
22. Angel, Mrs.
Blake, S.C. and Co., printers
23. Lucas, C.
Norman, William George
24. Blagg, F., chimney sweep
Mobbs, Edward
26. Bates, R.
Harvey, Mrs.
27. Read, R.
Kerridge, Henry E., ironmonger, workshop
The Occupants, Row Sixty, 1913
(from King Street to Howard Street South)
The Occupants, Row Sixty, 1927
North side
(from King Street to Howard Street South)
3. Penney, George Edward
North side
717
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
Row 60 Map
1906
1772
1985
Jarrold
(stationer)
184
183
40
41
42
184
183
McKay
(clothing
store)
Palmer’s rear
entrance
10
11
12
Car Park
Beck
7
Rogers
2. Short, Charles
Meeting
House
Friends’ Meeting
House
3. Peach, Edward
12. Mair, Andrew Kidd (see text)
4. Harmer, Albert
12a. Hales, Herbert, bootmaker
5. Newson, James
13. Turner, Charles
6. Cockrell, Robert
14. Read, William
7. Coleman, Mrs.
14a. Scott, Mrs.
8. Harvey, Robert
15. Scurl, Mrs.
9. Phillips, William
15a. Chipperfield, William
10. Pitchers, Harry William, clothier
16. Newby, Mrs.
11. Larn, Mrs.
718
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
20. Dodson, George Frederick
21. Roll, Mrs.
Boning Bros., furniture factory
22. Grimmer, Robert
23. Tubby, Alfred
24. Harvey, Mrs.
The Occupants, Row Sixty One, 1936
(from 68 Howard Street South to Hall
Quay)
North side
2a. Smith, Edward
3. Smith, Albert
South side
6. Cutting, Mrs.
South side:
7. Cubitt, Henry
17. Partridge, Frederick
8. Smith, Stanley
18. Clayton, Mrs.
9. Nash, William, apartments
19. Beck, Mrs.
11. Stanford, Mrs.P.
Miriam Mair King
b.28.1.1915
Andrew James Mollett Mair
1911-1978
Annie Mair, 1909-1942
married Thomas Winn
719
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ROW SIXTY ONE,
QUAY AUSTIN ROW
(Palmer)
Quayside Austin Row
(from Johnson’s notes, also the names below)
The Coalmeters Row
Poppinjay Row
Johnson wrote: Yarmouth has in times past been
prominent in Parliamentary business. Many acts have
been passed relating to our Haven, our fishery, and
our coals. Formerly coals arriving by ship were taxed,
and the corporation appointed official stevedores or
meters, these men engaged a number of coal heavers
to unload the cargoes. In 1829 there were 32 coal
“meters” in the town. A tavern of that name was at
the northwest corner. Special attention is drawn to the
flint houses, nos. 7, 8 and 9 on the south side.
Palmer tells us that Row no. 61, from the quay to
Howard Street, called the Quay Austin Row, because it
led to the above mentioned cell of the Augustin friars.
At the southwest corner was a house occupied by the
National Provincial Bank. It stood on ground which,
as to the front part, was occupied by a house having
a cut flint front, in common with those adjoining it to
the south. The house was early in the 18th. century
called “The Popinjay”, but was afterwards a private
residence in the occupation of John Onley, who died
in 1740, aged 54, the house after being occupied by his
widow, Judith, daughter of Samuel Wakeman. Upon her
death in 1781, the house was sold to George Gooch, a
highly popular tradesman, who converted the ground
floor into a boot and shoemakers shop, and let the first
floor as lodgings. The back part of the premises in
1776 were on the site of another public house, which
was called the “Rope dancers”, and afterwards in 1784,
the “Blue Anchor”.
21.2.2007
from his carriage, aged 40. He was buried at Loddon
church. Mr. William Wilshere was an M. P. for Yarmouth
in place of Col. Anson, and represented Gt. Yarmouth
1937 to 1947. He was induced to be candidate largely
by Sam. Palmer, and frequently was a guest at this
house.
The Southtown Road had long been over-congested
and certainly a deathtrap until the opening of the
Breydon Road Bridge. One of our young nursing
In 1808 the houses
both front and back were
taken down, and the
present house erected.
There was then a handsome
verandah and balcony in front
now removed. He married
Henrietta Maria, daughter
of Sir Edmund Lacon,
and died at Bedford, aged
68, in 1848. In 1832 the
house was purchased by
Samuel Palmer, Mayor of
Yarmouth in 1840, 1842,
1845. He married Augusta
Burton, youngest daughter
of Thomas Burton, and died
in 1850 from the effects of
an accident on the Southtown
Road, having been thrown
21.2.2007
720
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
sisters from the James Paget Hospital was knocked
off her moped on the Southtown Road in 1982, and
as a result of severe head injuries was forced to retire
from nursing despite a valiant attempt to return to
her work.
The 1936 row survey has a description prior to row
71, which is titled row 51, but that has already been
described, and this must refer to row 61 “Warehouse
on south side, fair house on north side, set back,
‘Canister House’ on south side, two storey building,
large sash barred windows, basement or cellars, and
attics. Pilastered entrance door. Good open court clear
of sheds, privies etc. A house worth retaining, after
the style of Nash, plastered and painted”.
The Occupants, Row Sixty One, 1886
(from Howard Street to Hall Plain)
Waters, R.
Smith, Mrs.
Tomkins, Mrs.
Parkerson, J., manufacturing jeweller
Palmer, R.
Pretty, Mrs.
Bean, W., chimney sweep
Wright, William
27.10.2010
Camp, B.
Colman, Frederick Charles
Ablitt, G.
Nash, William
Maidstone, J.
Howes, John
Simmons, J.
Platten, Thomas William
The Occupants, Row Sixty One, 1913
The Occupants, Row Sixty One, 1927
(from Howard Street South to Hall Quay)
(from Howard Street South to Hall Quay)
North Side
North Side
Harman, George
1. Jones, Walt.
Hand, Christopher
2. Nudd, Daniel, David
Brown, George
2a. Brown, George
McLay, Robert
3. Catlin, Mrs.
Berry, Charles
5. Smith, Albert George
Palmer, Edward Everett
South side
South side
6. Balls, Samuel
Mayman, Frederick
7. Cubitt, Henry
721
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
Midway, looking east, 7.12.2009.
8. Cubitt, Harry Jun.
9. Nash, William
11. Howes, John
The Occupants, Row Sixty One, 1936
(from 68 Howard Street South to Hall
Quay)
North side
2a. Smith, Edward
3. Smith, Albert
South side
6. Cutting, Mrs.
7. Cubitt, Henry
8. Smith, Stanley
9. Nash, William, apartments
11. Stanford, Mrs. P.
Row 61, west end, Hall Quay, 7.12.2009.
722
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
1906
20
21
22
Bank
23
24
Hotel
1784, The “Blue
Anchor” (see text)
24
1772
Onley’s house, 18th C.,
the “Popinjay” about
1700,
National Provincial
Bank, 1870
1985
Midland
Bank
car park
PH
69
Natwest
Bank
Star Hotel
Detail of front of Bank at the soutwest corner of row 61.
723
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
Henry Swinden’s Map
Rows 53, 55, 57, 59, and 61
.
(1758)
54
56
58
Row 61
Quaker Meeting ho.
Row 53
15a
16
Star Hotel
(1994)
15
Hunts
13
Mariners
12
Row 55
10
11
9
8
Howard Street
74
73
Great
Eastern
(1938)
The “Blue Anchor”
(1784)
75
76
77
78
Row 59
Exchange
Vaults PH
(1938)
Row 61
61
59
Hall Quay
now the site
of LLoyd's Bank
once, Ralph Woolhouses'
57
55
53
724
Cobb/
Hunter
Clowes
Lady
Orde
Possibly about 1847
Ward
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
Post Office, 1863
Bank House
Duke’s
Head
Cobb
Clowes
Yare Hotel, in Howard Street
Post Office, with, at first, no
entrance on Hall Quay
Ordinance Survey, 1885
The Blue Anchor, (1784)
Cromwell Hotel
(now the Star)
Row 61
Cabmen’s shelter
Gurney’s
now Barclays
now Lloyds
TSB
now
HSBC
Steam Packet
PH
now entrance
to car park
National Provincial
now NatWest Bank
725
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
R
OW
, N
O
. S
IXTY
T
WO
from the Quay to Howard
Street
Bailiff Church’s Row
Homfray’s Row
Symond’s Row
Ben Dowson’s Row
Palmer gave no name
Names here from Harry Johnson’s Notes
who died young so that ultimately the five
daughters of his sister, Mrs. Mary Mew,
became his co-heirs. By them this property
was sold to Anthony Ellys, Esq., by whom
the present house was probably erected, as his
initials with the date 1694 may still be seen on
a leaden water spout. He was bailiff in 1699
and mayor in 1708, and died in 1709, aged 75.
Anthony Ellys was descended from Thomas
Ellys, who, by Mary his wife, had a son,
Thomas Ellys of Somerleyton in Suffolk,
who died in 1646, and was buried at Ashby,
and who, by Sarah his wife, had issue six
sons. Thomas, the eldest, resided at Lound in
Suffolk. He married a Colville, and had issue.
John, the second son, settled at Frostenden
in Suffolk. He married Mary, daughter of
one Barre of Syleham, attorney of the Court
of Wards, and by her had a son, Sir John
Ellis, M.D., Master of Gonville and Caius
College, Cambridge, Vice-Chancellor of that
University, commonly called the “Devil of
Keys”.
Harry Beale Johnson wrote in about 1925:
“Henry Church resided at a splendid mansion
upon the site of the Cromwell Hotel (now
renamed the Star). The railings, gateway and
flint front are unique. There still exists some
excellent panelling in this hotel, which was
partly rebuilt in 1891. A portion of an old
cannon could be seen at the west entrance to
the row. Benjamin Dowson later occupied the
house, and he was popular with his methodist
friends, welcoming them with their open air
meetings on the quay”.
Palmer wrote in his Perlustration:
At the north-west corner is an old house with
a squared and smooth cut-flint front, having
stone dressings to the windows. It has but one
storey, with dormer windows in the roof, and
presents a good specimen of a style prevalent
in the latter part of the 17th century. The rooms
are low and panelled with wainscot, which in
the hall and dining room retains its rich, dark
hue uncontaminated by paint. The hall door is
still adorned by the ponderous brass knocker
common at the period when this house was
erected, but now rarely to be found. This house
extended over the row and also occupied
the space between it and the Star Hotel, the
front being of the same character throughout.
The whole of this site, with a previous house
thereon, was the property of Henry Church,
who served the office of bailiff in 1670, and
died in 1676. There is an epitaph to his
memory preserved by (Peter) Le Neve, in
which he is styled “senator”, but this must
be taken in a local sense, as he was not in
Parliament. He left an only son, Henry Church,
Queen Anne being at Newmarket in 1705,
Dr. Ellys, as vice-chancellor, attended by the
principal members of the university “in their
Row 62 from the west, 7.12.2009.
726
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
formalities” waited upon her
majesty; and was introduced
by the Duke of Somerset, then
chancellor. The doctor made
a speech, full of expression of
duty to her majesty and zeal
for her government, to which
the queen gave a gracious
answer. The deputation then
kissed hands, and the doctor
solicited her majesty to honor
the university with her presence
at dinner, which invitation she
was pleased to accept. The doctor
and the other members of the
deputation then waited upon
the Prince of Hanover, and paid
their compliments in a similar
manner to his royal highness
(afterwards King George II.);
and after being entertained at
dinner by the officers of the
Board of Green Cloth, returned
to the university “extremely well
pleased.” Her majesty dined in
the Hall at Trinity College, and it
was there that she conferred the
honor of knighthood upon the
vice-chancellor. On Michaelmas
day in the same year, Thomas
Ellys, who settled in Yarmouth,
where he married Katherine, daughter of
John Fuller. Another brother was the Anthony
Ellys above named. They are both mentioned
by Dean Davies, who says “28th Dec,1689.
In the afternoon I visited Mr. Thomas Ellys;
and hence coming home I waited upon Mrs.
Mary and Mrs. Hannah Ellys to their brother
Anthony’s, where we supped and spent the
evening at cards.” Anthony Ellys held lands
copyhold of the manor of Burgh Castle, which
were devised by his son to the daughter of the
latter, Hannah, who married William Copping
of Lowestoft. This family of Ellys bore as their
coat of arms, a mermaid with hair comb and
mirror; and for a crest, another mermaid. The
first-named Anthony Ellys left a son, Anthony
Ellys, who was mayor in 1705 and again
in 1719. He is probably the “Justice Ellys”
mentioned by Warburton as among the “men
Row 62, 10.6.2010, from west end.
of note inYarmouth.” He died in 1736, leaving
a son.
Dr. Anthony Ellys, Bishop of St. David’s,
who was a native of Yarmouth. This prelate
graduated at Clare Hall, Cambridge, and
having taken holy orders was, through the
influence of his father, appointed one of the
Ministers of St. George’s Chapel (for then
there were two) in 1720. This preferment he
resigned in the following year, “ by reason
of the provision made for him by the Lord
Chancellor,” which was the Rectory of St.
Olave, Old Jewry, London. He became
a Prebendary of Gloucester, and in 1752
was made Bishop of St. David’s. He also
held the Vicarage of Great Marlow in
Buckinghamshire, (where Thomas Rumble
was clerk of works for the new church in
1834) and was Chaplain to Lord Chancellor
727
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
Macclesfield. He died at
Gloucester in 1761, and was
buried in the cathedral of that
city, where there is a tomb to
his memory bearing his shield
of arms. He was considered
a man of fine parts, with
extensive knowledge and sound
judgment, and endowed with
a most christian temper. By
Anne his wife, daughter of Sir
Stephen Anderson, Bart., he
left an only child, Elizabeth
Frances Ellys. The bishop sold
the above house to Nathaniel
Symonds, Esq., a member of
a family who at that time held
large possessions in Yarmouth
and its neighbour-hood. He
probably erected the lofty
iron entrance gate; as it [was]
surmounted by the Symonds’
crest, a dolphin devouring a
fish.
The next possessor of the
above-mentioned house was
Benjamin Dowson, Esq. He
was the eldest son of Benjamin
Utting Dowson of Geldestone,
Norfolk, corn merchant, who
died in 1843, aged 79. The
latter was the son of Benjamin Dowson of
Great Yarmouth, and of Mutford, Suffolk, who
died in 1799, and who was the eldest son and
heir-at-law of Benjamin Gibson Dowson of
Great Yarmouth. Mr. Benjamin Dowson for
many years conducted an extensive business
as a maltster for the London brewers (Messrs.
Combe, Delafield, and Co.), and as a corn
merchant with much ability and success.
Benevolent, liberal, and charitable, he was
ever ready to assist in any good work. He was
Chairman of the Victoria Building Company,
and took great interest in that undertaking;
(Charles Palmer was secretary to the Victoria
Building Company) and was a generous friend
to the Sailors Home and the Hospital. He
was a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of
Norfolk. He died here in 1865, aged 77, and
was buried in the churchyard at Burgh Castle.
There is a portrait of him by Eddis.
Row 62, midway, looking east, 10.6.2010.
During the many years Mr. Rumbold
represented the “borough in parliament,
he frequently, especially during contested
elections, resided in this house as the guest
of Mr. Dowson. Charles Edmund Rumbold,
the second son of Sir Thomas Rumbold,
Bart., was seated at Preston Candover in
Hampshire. He was educated at Trinity
college, Cambridge, where he took his degree
of M.A. in 1814. He early on developed a taste
for literature and was not only a ripe scholar,
but master of several modern languages. He
attained his majority at the time the French
were retreating from Moscow, and at once
made his way to the rear of the Russian Army,
continuing to follow them during the whole
of the ensuing campaign. He witnessed the
battles of Lutzen and Bautzen, and arrived in
Leipzic a few hours after the capture of that
728
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
1906
F.Greenacre,
ginger beer maker (1886)
4
3
2 1
shops
shops
1772
scale on maps
1985
24
Star Hotel
25
26
telephone
exchange
Head
Post Office
21 19
729
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
city by the allies.
Having seen enough of the horrors of war
he returned to England and landed at Great
Yarmouth. In after life he was accustomed to
give graphic and most interesting descriptions
to his friends of the terrible scenes he had
witnessed on the battlefield. He stood for
Yarmouth in 1818 as a whig and won election.
In 1820 he was again returned after a contest;
in 1826; in 1830; in 1831; and again in 1832,
after the passing of the Reform Bill, each
election having been contested.
In 1834 he was for the first time defeated.
In 1887 he regained his seat after a severe
contest; and was re-elected in 1841, also after
a contest. In 1847 he was defeated, but his
opponents were unseated. At the next election
Mr. Rumbold was again returned, and in 1852
he was for the ninth time elected, having for
his colleague Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart.; and he
continued to represent the borough until 1857,
when after a service of nearly forty years he
finally retired from public life. He died the
same year, aged 68.
The house at the south-west corner of Row
No. 62, already mentioned as having formed
part of the house on the other side, was for
many years in the occupation of the Rev. John
Homfray, who married Hetty, only daughter of
James Symonds, Esq. of Ormesby. The above-
mentioned house was subsequently occupied
by Hannah, the widow of John Parr who died
here in 1839, aged 80.
telephone exchange. Empty in 2009, it was
acquired in 2010 by Herring House Trust for
a homeless persons hostel. The original Star
Hotel, which stood on this site was quite a
narrow building, and only had three windows
width onto the quay. On the first floor was the
famous “Nelson Room”. Nelson never went
near this room as far as we know, but the room
contained the most fabulous panelling and
fireplace, which look likely to be Elizabethan.
These architectural treasures are still “alive
and well”. They were sold to the Metropolitan
Museum of New York, and are to this day still
in storage there, never having been taken out
of the boxes! (Told to me by David Ferrow.)
See also Row sixty seven regarding the old
Star Hotel.
In 1886 there were several dwellings in the
row. Greenacre made and sold ginger beer.
Durrant worked at one of the the malt houses,
and Bristow was a carpenter. The small shops
beside the row at the east end fronted Howard
Street, where could be found in 1913, Arnold
the heating engineer, Crisp the hair dresser,
Frosdick’s shop, and John Scales the fish
monger (see map).
The 1936 row survey recorded:
“Has a 16th century door and also an 18th
century door with hood” (Great Yarmouth then
remained an architectural and archaeological
gem, said to be the best preserved Jacobean
town in the UK.)
John Farr of Beccles, who died in 1723, was
the grandfather of John Farr who purchased
the North Cove Estate, and died in 1795,
aged 72. John Farr, his son, a Magistrate and
Deputy- Lieutenant for Suffolk, died in 1824,
aged 67, leaving the widow above named; and
an elder son, the late John Lee Farr, Esq.
The Occupants, Row 62, 1886
(from Howard Street South to Hall Plain)
1. Greenacre, F., ginger beer maker
2. Durrant, W., maltster
3. Bristow, H. carpenter
The Occupants, Row 62, 1936
from 65 Howard Street South to Hall Plain
no occupants listed
(Palmer also included more details of the
Symonds Family, that I have omitted from
copy).
The house extended over the row, and on
the east side of the row was the old Star
Hotel. That original hotel, now long gone,
occupied the site now covered by the empty
730
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
21.2.2007, behind the
former telephone exchange
Row 62 looking
east, 7.12.2007
Ordnance Survey Map, 1885.
Rear car park at the “Star” Hotel,
east end of row 62, 21.2.2007
731
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ROW SIXTY THREE,
POST OFFICE ROW.
(Palmer)
Post Office Row (1800, from Johnson’s
notes, and the names below)
Bond the Druggist’s Row (1835)
Sloman the Printer’s Row
Nall’s the Printer’s Row
Johnson wrote: “Pigott’s Directory of
1830 announced: ‘The Post Office,
King Street’. At that time it was at the
east end of this row, and at that time
the Seaman family were Postmasters
?from 1783. Relatives still reside in
the town. (See old post office row No.
107.) The Quaker cemetery is at the
west entrance (to the row)”.
Palmer wrote: Row 63, from Howard
Street to the market Place, has been long
known as Post Office Row, because a
house on the north side, towards the
east end (the property of the Seaman
family), was used as a post office
for many years previous to the removal
of the business to the quay in 1840. It
was in the reign of Edward Ist. that
horses were hired at fixed posts along a
route to convey the King’s mails. After
a while it was found more convenient
to change the rider as well, and so the
mail was passed from one postman to
another. The Seaman family held the
office of Postmaster. Samuel Seaman
died in 1783 aged 86. His son and
grandson, both named Thomas, in turn
carried on as Postmaster, and the latter
grandson died in 1823 aged 65. His
daughters thereafter carried out the
duties until the removal of the business
to the quay.
At the west end of Row 63, at the
back of the house and liquor shop
fronting Howard Street, there was a
house (rebuilt by Joseph Tomlinson,
who died aged in 1867 aged 72)
facing east towards a large garden,
long the residence of Robert Woolmer,
solicitor, who died unmarried aged
96 in 1807 leaving a considerable
fortune to the Cory family to whom
he was not related. It was afterwards
occupied by Mrs. Ruxby, widow of
Thomas Ruxby, wine merchant, who
died in 1796. In 1851 some malthouses
were erected here, and in digging the
foundation there was found at a depth
732
21.2.2007
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
of six feet a portion of a very massive
wall running from north to south with
some remains of stone and woodwork, and
some fragments of pottery. A drawing was
made of this by Winter, and the dimensions
ascertained. This wall and associated ruins
were uncovered again by bombing in the
last war, and photographed and recorded
by Phillip Rumbelow.
The Occupants, Row Sixty Three, 1886
(from King Street to Howard Street)
1. Nall’s steam printing works
2. Kerridge’s store
3. Sunman, A.W., bricklayer
4. Simms, Mrs.
5. Coleman, J.E.
6. Seaman, A., greengrocer
7. Partridge, Mrs., lodging house keeper
Grimmer, S., and co., office.
malthouses
The Occupants, Row Sixty Three, 1913
(from King Street to Howard Street
South)
7.12.2009
North side
The Occupants, Row Sixty Three,
1927
14. Pearce, Walter
Ulph, Mrs.
15. Hudson, John
Nichols, Henry
(from King Street to Howard Street
South)
Willoughby, Miss
Deuce, Walter
North side
The Occupants, Row Sixty Three and
a Half, 1936
3. Ferrow, Mrs.
Partridge, Arthur
(from 18 Howard Street South)
4. Willoughby, Mrs.
Tubby, Arthur John Emmanuel
no occupants listed
5. Deuce, Walter
Brooks, Miss
South side
6. Partridge, Mrs.
Cossey, James
8. Tubby, Arthur John Emanuel
Newman, Emlington
9. Alcock, Cecil Thomas
Ruffold, Thomas
South side
Ward, William
11. Simmons, Mrs.
Moore, Henry James
12. Newman, Hamilton
13. Ruffold, Mrs.
733
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
Some of the family of George “Lolly” Ruffold. On the left is seen Alice Turner, the mother of
Alice , who married George and Elizabeth’s son Tom, and lived in this row in 1913. In the
centre of the photo. is seen Janet, next is Nellie, and on the right is Ethel. Janet married Walter
Allen; Nellie married Walter Prince; Ethel married Clarence Denton. The full list of children of
George and Elizabeth Ruffold was - Tom, Lucy, Nellie, John, Annie, Mary, Lucy and Elizabeth.
For more about this family, see Row 19.
Thomas Ruffold at no.13, Row 63 in 1913,
died suddenly in his thirties, leaving a
young widow, Alice, who still lived here in
1917. He was a newsagent, and therefore
had a telephone in the row house to take
and print the late news. Their children were
Alice, Rose, Elsie and Tommy. Tommy
went to London, Alice married Andrew
Wemyss. Rose married George Whiley, a
dustman, now deceased (1992) and lived in
Yarmouth. George then had a guest house in
Camperdown. Elsie married Arthur Richards,
a cooper, who became remarkably prosperous
by some astute investment. He acquired some
holiday flats in Northgate Street and Crown
Road, a house on the east side of The Street,
at Lound, as well as the “Standard” (the
triangular building) on St Peter’s Road, that
had baths. Their children were Pauline (later,
Steward, who became Practice Nurse at my
G.P. Surgery at no.55 and then at no. 43 King
Street) and Patrick, a painter and decorator,
and builder. George Ruffold, father of Thomas,
married Elizabeth Dowd. They had lived in
Row 21 prior to
1900.
George“Lolly”
Ruffold
(see Row 19)
734
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
21.2.2007, from centre, looking west,
Site of Yare Hotel
on
Howard Street
East end, looking east, 7.12.2009
From west end, site
of Row 63
1
/
2
West end, looking west, 7.12.2009
From Row 62 opposite, 10.06.2010
735
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
ROW SIXTY FOUR
(Palmer gave no name)
Dr. Bateman’s Row (Mayor 1819, from Johnson’s
notes)
James Burton’s Row (Solicitor, 1867, Johnson’s
notes)
Johnson wrote that this row is the first of nine short
rows that link King Street with Deneside. Prior to
1678 King Street was open ground from the houses
on the west side to the town’s fortifications.
5.12.2009
Palmer wrote that Row no. 64 from King Street to
Theatre Plain, being the first row south of the Market
Place, to which we must now return. In 1713 a Charity
School was established for teaching poor children
to read, and instructing them in the knowledge
and practice of religion as taught in the Church of
England. (See “Market Place” for much more about
the Blue Coat Charity School.)
In 1723 the corporation granted a piece of ground at
the southeast corner of the market place, described
as a piece of waste ground near the main guard,
between houses of John Dodgein the butcher, north,
and a certain place called Bolt’s corner, south, upon
which the school rooms as standing in 1870, were
erected. In 1785 the council granted an additional site
to the north, on which the master’s house was erected.
Two figures in niches on the front of this building were
removed from the old vestry of St. Nicholas Church
when the vestry was demolished in 1848.
This hole on the South side of Row 64, 1952
(photo P.Rumbelow)
In 1678 the site of the houses now at the south end
of the Market Place, and lying between King Street
and Theatre Plain, was open ground, and was in that
year granted by the corporation to Mitchell Mew,
a man of considerable property. He, in 1681 sold
the ground to Roger Tompson, oatmeal maker,
who in 1683 conveyed it to Robert Boult, miller,
and Benjamin Boult, carpenter and millwright, at
which time it was described as “Waste ground lying
on the Dene side”. Four houses were erected upon
this ground, which were in 1750 conveyed
to Thomas Woods, stationer, then to
Thomas Leach, surgeon, and then in 1781
to John Scales, Philip Pullyn, Samuel
Mason, and John Sims, who made great
alterations and fitted up the houses as a
bank, but soon afterwards the partnership
was dissolved, and the banking business
was carried on by Messrs. Mason and
Woods, who were also corn merchants,
and in 1783 they became bankrupt. In
1797 the property was purchased by
Thomas Bateman Esq. M. D., and in 1821
it was conveyed by him to his son, George
Bateman, M. D. In 1859 the premises
were conveyed to the Trustees of the
Great Yarmouth Savings Bank, and the
736
The Salvation Army Band, 5.12.2009.
from east, 29.6.10 from west, 10.6.2010
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
property adapted with a new front. The
properties adjoining this on the west,
at the north end of the market, were
in 1729 in the possession of Charles
Gray, bookseller, and John Boswell,
butcher, the latter having married the
widow of Benjamin Boult. In 1797 the
house fronting the market place was
in the occupation of William Taylor,
surgeon, who afterwards resided on
the west side of the market place, but
eventually returned to this house, where
he died. The house fronting King Street
(where Burton’s store now is) was at the
commencement of the 19th. C. occupied
by James Black, bookseller, and printer.
It was later occupied by Mr. Keymer.
The ground south of Row 64, first
enclosed in 1678, was also granted to
Mitchel Mew. The house at the northwest
corner was erected by John Pritchard,
surgeon, who died in 1850. The house to
the south of this row was the property of
Mary Buell, widow, who conveyed it to
her mother, Elizabeth Thompson, then to
Robert Smith, then to George Thompson,
merchant. In 1785 it was conveyed
to James Lucas Worship, who died
in 1790. In 1808 it was purchased
by Press Turner, pastry cook,
and immediately then to Pexall Forster,
bookseller, who the next year became
bankrupt, but then was appointed libr
arian at the public library, which post
he held for several years. The house
was then sold to Robert Marston of
Martham, farmer, and for some years
after, it was used as a lodging house.
The Occupants, Row Sixty Four, 1886
05.12.2009
(from Deneside to King Street) Burton and son,
solicitor’s office
29.6.2010
From the west in King Street, 29.6.2010.
737
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
738
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
ROW SIXTY FIVE
(Palmer gave no name)
Cups Row (from Johnson’s notes, and names below)
Mariners Row
Dakin the Brazier’s Row
Harry Johnson wrote that “Row no. 65 is from King
Street to Theatre Plain. The Mariner’s tavern fronted
the Theatre, Mr. Dakin occupied the house at the
southwest corner 100 years ago”.
Palmer wrote: “At the southwest corner there is a large
house, now divided into two occupations, nos. 7 and 8,
formerly occupied by Dakin the Brazier. Further south
is a row unnumbered and impassable by carts, leading
from King Street to Theatre Plain. At the northwest
corner is a tavern called “The Rose”, and still further
south, at the northwest corner of the opening leading
to Regent road, there was an old liquor shop which,
in the latter part of the last century (18th.), was in the
occupation of Mr. Hallmarke, who might be seen
at his door attired in a long white apron, as was the
habit with wine and liquor merchants in those days.
He was succeeded by Mr. Diver, and the latter by his
son, Mr. W. H. Diver, who died in 1871 aged 86, by
whom the house next (to) King Street was rebuilt”.
7.12.2009
The Occupants, Row Sixty Five, 1886
(from Deneside to King Street)
The open space to the east of this row acquired
the name of Theatre Plain, in 1778, when a Theatre
was first erected. Previously, when the Norwich theatre
company visited the town, they had at first used a
warehouse (1710) on part of the site now occupied
by the Middlegate Church, but which had been
formerly rebuilt as a meeting house. The company
then used the town chamber, previously used as a
Dutch Chapel, to be fitted up as a theatre “for the
use of the comedians”. In 1856 the theatre was so
poorly supported that a comedian called Thomas
Russell collapsed and died on stage. This was
thought to have been due largely due to lack of
food and to the cold.
Cocks, J. A.
7.12.2007
From Deneside looking west, 7.12.2007.
739
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
29.06.2010
740
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
ROW SIXTY SIX
(Palmer gives no name)
Stamp Office Row (name from Johnson’s notes,
including as below)
Edmund Girling’s Row (1796)
Savings Bank Row (1818)
Johnson tells us that In 1806 Nathaniel Palmer had
the official stamp office in this row. Edmund Girling,
the well known amateur etcher was born at a house
at the northeast corner which was taken in by
Arnolds. Arnolds was to become Debenhams in c.
1980, and latterly, “Etam”, “Superdrug” and “River
Island” clothing store. In 1818 the savings bank
commenced in this row. In 1928 only one half of the
row existed, Arnolds occupying the east end with their
new building. Arnold’s had been rebuilt following a
devastating fire in 1919. Some 700 tons of “Masons”
brand cement were used in its rebuilding.
Palmer wrote: Row no 66 was from Howard Street
to the Market Place. In this row was a place called
Crown Court, and here in 1818 the Yarmouth Savings
Bank was first established in the house of Mr. James
Parker, the first manager. In the house at the northeast
corner of the row, long occupied as a grocer’s shop,
was born Edmund Girling, an amateur artist of very
considerable merit.
12th August 1994
741
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
Many of his etchings, especially those from pictures by
Rembrandt, showed such talent, that had it had he become
a professional artist, Palmer thought would have given him
high rank. He commenced work as a clerk at Gurney’s and
Turners Bank, and under the patronage of Dawson Turner,
he moved to take up business in Mark Lane, London. The
etchings of his brother, Richard, were, says Palmer, done
with great feeling.
No residents are listed in the directories from
1886 for this row.
5.12.2009, entrance to Row 66 from
Howard Street.
KingStreet
Row66
Row69
Row66
Row69
Possibly the
site of Rev
John Welham’s
house, 1720,
then William
Burton’s, 1750,
then George
Hurry’s,
demolished in
1811.
1772
1906
1985
scale of map
742
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
ROW SIXTY SEVEN,
STAR TAVERN ROW,
MR. NICHOLAS CUTTING’S SOUTH
ROW
(both names from Palmer)
(not mentioned in Johnson’s notebook)
Row 67 ran from the Quay to Howard Street. At the
northwest corner stood an old three storey house known
as the “Star Hotel”. It had a square cut flint front, and
was built towards the close of the 16th Century by
William Crowe, a rich merchant who filled the office
of bailiff in 1596, and again in 1606. John Crowe
who was bailiff of Yarmouth in 1547 and 1554, was
probably the eldest son of John Crowe of Crowe’s Hall,
and therefore Uncle to the above. William Crowe was
probably a member of the “Merchant Adventurers of
England”, invested by Queen Elizabeth I with special
trading privileges, since the arms of that company
appeared carved on the fireplace in the principal
room. This room on the first floor, fronting the Quay,
was lined with wainscotting. The square panels were
black with age and reached to a height of five feet. The
old Elizabethan fireplace had been filled up so as to
fit a small stove, and on removing the woodwork in
1865 the original chimney piece of Caen stone was
uncovered. (Most later fireplaces being smaller, the
originals are usually to be found untouched behind,
if the smaller insert is removed, but this can lead to
significant problems in the restoration as I discovered
at Mardle (farm) House, Lound and later, I was not
brave enough to attempt the same at Hopton Hall). In
Palmer’s time the ceiling here remained intact and was
quite splendid. The pendant ceiling was divided into
six compartments enriched with mouldings, fruits and
flowers. The original window also existed entire,
having fourteen lights and latticed panes, all in two
tiers, in an oak carved frame. Behind the kitchens of
this hotel had been a banqueting house that in 1740
had been completely destroyed to make room for a
malthouse. Afterwards this was converted to stables,
which were eventually in their turn, demolished to
make way for extra rooms added to the hotel. Beneath
the Star Hotel, and extending eastward were extensive
vaulted cellars. William Crowe, who purchased Caister
Castle, is believed to have been the son of William Crowe
the builder of this house.
He was born in 1617, and
married Jane, daughter
of Thomas Bransby of
Gt. Yarmouth, by Mary
his wife, a daughter of
Christopher Edmond
Crowe of East Bilney. He
carried on the business of
an upholsterer, in London,
and combined that trade
with the lending of
money, and appears to
have been well known,
Row 62
Row 67
since Pepys, in his Diary under the date 20th Oct. 1660,
wrote of having called at Crowe’s the upholsterers
in Bartholomews. Sir William Paston borrowed
large sums of money off him and in 1659 sold to
Crowe the castle of his ancestors at Caister, which
he had abandoned for his new residence in Oxnead.
This William Crowe died about 1668, aged 51, and by
his will had a monument erected to his memory in
Caister Church. Thomas Bransby of Gt. Yarmouth,
merchant, son of Thomas Bransby of Shottisham.
He died in 1641 leaving two sons, Thomas Bransby
of Caister and Gt. Yarmouth, High Sheriff of Norfolk
in 1681, and Robert Bransby of Gt. Yarmouth who
died in 1692 leaving considerable property. In 1991,
there was Bransby’s meat factory on the Harfreys
Industrial Estate. The Crowe family remains numerous
in Caister and Hemsby, but the name of Crowe is not
common in Gt. Yarmouth itself. In 1992 Robert Crowe
of Nottingham way told me that he had been employed
in Bransby’s meat factory. Thomas Bransby resided in
the house on Row 67, and died there in 1683 aged 56,
leaving an only child, Elizabeth, sole heir of her father
Row 67
743
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
and uncle, who married Sir Philip Astley, Baronet, of
Melton Constable, and died in 1738, aged 67, leaving
a son, Sir Jacob Astley, Baronet, who sold the house
to Thomas Dawson of Gt. Yarmouth, merchant and
maltster. He demolished the banqueting room, and
erected a malthouse on the site. A Dr. John Dawson
was listed near here at a later date, but neither Dawson
was any relation to the Dr. John Dawson who in
1993 was practising at the Lawn Avenue Surgery.
Dawson conveyed the property in 1749, to Robert
Wilson of London, a wealthy corn merchant, who
died in 1765, leaving two daughters, his co-heirs.
One, Dorothy, married Anthony Chamier, and died
without children. The other, Elizabeth, became the
wife of Thomas Bradshawe, by whom she had four
sons, the last of whom was Augustin Hill Bradshawe
Esq., of Lower Seymour Street. In 1806, he sold the
Star tavern to Mr. William Wolverton, who in 1824
conveyed it to Mr. George Bennett, then a comic
actor attached to the Norwich Company of players.
By him it was sold to Mr. William Holmes Diver,
who in 1865 conveyed it to Mr. Shales, who then
became the proprietor.
A society of friends was instituted in 1769, by John
Fisher, Robert Cory, Benjamin Norfor, William Norfor,
George Riches, and John Sayers, as a social club.
Some portraits were painted, including one of
Nathaniel Symonds, who had for a long time, filled the
office of treasurer. There was also a portrait of Norfor,
and another portrait of Nelson, which was presented
to the club in 1805. Simply because this portrait hung
in the room, it was then known as the “Nelson Room”.
These pictures would be of considerable interest
now, if they could be located. It is not suggested by
Palmer that Nelson ever stayed at the Star or in the
Nelson Room (although others have since made
that assumption with no substance). The panelling
from the Nelson room was sold to the Metropolitan
Museum in New York. It is still in storage there and
can be bought back for Yarmouth in the future. It
needs somewhere suitable to be restored to.Several
opportunities have been lost for location 55 North
Quay, yet to be restored and for the moment still, in
2004, “mothballed” under a temporary corrugated
iron roof.
This building was on the site of the
now closed telephone exchange
Row 67
The house at the southwest corner of the row facing
the Quay, was once owned by John Warren of
Burgh Castle, and in 1686 conveyed from him to
William Salter of Norwich. From him it then descended
to William Salter of Gt. Yarmouth, his son and heir,
who conveyed it in 1700 to John Riseborow, then
an Alderman of Norwich, which he in 1723 sold
to Thomas Royal. It was then a tavern called “The
Black Boys”. There is no pub now of that name in
Yarmouth, but in 2010, I can recommend the pub. of
that name in the Market Place in Aylsham. Royal had
been elected town clerk in 1720, in succession to Mr.
Turner. He pulled down the Black Boys, which stood
a little backward, and by leave of the corporation
Detail of the ornate Nelson Room.
744
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
erected a “stately house” which stood until Palmer’s
day. In 1747 the house so built by Royal was conveyed
to John Ramey, one of the most remarkable men in local
history in the 18th. century. The son of John Ramey
master-mariner by Margaret Pulteney his wife, (the
father was lost at sea in 1718 when the son was an
infant), Ramey commenced life as an attorney, and his
shrewdness and wisdom soon enabled him to take up
a leading position. His great ambition was not only to
make a fortune, but also to form a Political party in
the town with him as leader. He married Abigail, one
of the two daughters and eventual co-heirs of William
Browne. He supported his father in law in his political
endeavours, (see 55 North Quay) and eventually as
a result succeeded him in the lucrative post of
Receiver General for the county. Ramey was Mayor in
1760 and 1763. By this time had acquired considerable
estates in Ormesby and Scratby, which gave him so
much influence that he was popularly called the “King
of Flegg”. On 10th Feb. 1768, at Yarmouth church,
his eldest daughter Abigail, was married to Alexander,
9th Earl of Home, and she became the mother of
Alexander, 10th Earl of Home, the direct ancestor
of the present Earl. Alec, Lord Home, descended
from these Yarmouth personages, was to become
Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1963. During the
Row 67
Ramey’s House, this house preceded
the recently closed Head Post Office.
latter days of his life Ramey resided at Scratby Hall,
where he died in 1794, aged 75, being then the oldest
member or “father” of the corporation. He was buried
at Ormesby.
Site of Row 67 (closed up).
still benefitting from the long University vacations,
I spent both summer and winter playing golf; the
winter (in termtime) at Carnoustie, and the summer
vacations first at Folkestone in Kent, and then at Hythe,
when the course moved to a new site there in 1966 and
Henry Cotton made the official opening.
Scratby Hall, the country house of Ramey was then
occupied by his daughter, the dowager Countess of
Home until her death in 1814 aged 68. The house had
originally been built by John Fisher (see 55 North Quay),
and was sold by him to Ramey at a time when it was
occupied and leased by Silas Neville. Silas Neville, his
fortune starting to dwindle, decided to study medicine
at Edinburgh, which he did in company with the Earl of
Home. He spent his winters in Scotland studying and the
summers at Scratby Hall. Rather similarly, I studied
medicine at Dundee, except that whilst a student and then
Ramey purchased all the property east of his
Yarmouth house, as far as Howard Street, and converted
a considerable portion of it into a garden, and left the
whole after his death to his widow, who resided there
until her own death in 1799. She left the property
to her daughter, the dowager Duchess of Home, who
occupied it as a town house until 1811, when she sold
745
The Revised History of Great Yarmouth
it to John Watson, at that time town clerk. Watson held office
until 1822. He married Mary, daughter of William Fisher, and
died in 1828, aged 78, his wife dying in the same year aged 77.
During the last few years of his life, John Watson resided at No.
14 Regent Street, where after his death his books and paintings
were sold in 1829. Among the latter was a view of Yarmouth
harbour by Butcher, Palmer suggests that this is probably as fine
a view as those in the town hall, and questions what has become
of it. What indeed? (There is a well known print of the Market
Place by Butcher, also one of the Quay, and the originals are in the
Town Hall, but this was altogether a different picture). In 1835 the
above mentioned house was purchased by William Travers Cox
M. D., who resided in it for some years. Subsequently a corn hall
was erected on a portion of the garden, having an entrance to it
from Regent Street. The house when sold by Dr.
Cox was fitted up as a commercial clubhouse,
but after a few years the club was broken up.
The adjoining house to the south was called
Regent
Street here
later
Detail from Butcher’s painting
Ramey’s House
Dobb’s House
Photos inside empty telephone exchange, 27.4.2007.
746
A New Perlustration of Great Yarmouth
1906 map
the garden behind
Rameys
F.Greenacre
ginger beer
maker, (1886)
2
4
Star
Hotel
Post
Office
Dobbs
1772 map
1985 map
“Dobbs”, and was conveyed in 1660 by Thomas
Utber of Beccles to James King, merchant, whose
son and heir Henry King in 1683 brought it into
settlement on his marriage with Rebecca Atkin.
She, dying in 1694 bequeathed it to his widow
who married Thomas Moore. She left it to her
step daughter Eliza Moore who married Robert
Atkin, and from her the property descended
to her eldest son and heir Thomas Atkin, who
sold it in 1738. The house was subsequently
occupied by the Rev. Edward White who was
one of the ministers of St. George’s Chapel
for nearly sixty years (1732-1791) after whose
death it became the property and residence
of Thomas Ridge, Surgeon. In 1788 he married
Sarah, daughter of John Baker, merchant, and
died in 1822 aged 61 leaving daughters only. His
only son had been drowned whilst bathing in the
sea in 1811, aged 16.
No residents were listed in this row 1886
onwards.
Ordnance Survey showing Row 67, 1885.
747
Detail of Butcher’s painting of Hall Quay
