EHL262. W. NEWMAN & SONS - OLD TOWN - EASTBOURNE. c1900. 23 Carew Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: trucks.boat.always

 

A selection of entries in Pike’s, Kelly’s, and Gowland’s Directories: -

1884 Gowland’s page 198 (Statuary & Cemetery Masons): Newman, W., Upperton Road.

1890 Pike’s Blue Book page 370 (Builders): Newman Bros, North View, Upperton Road.

1891 Sussex Kelly’s under Builders, ‘Newman William & John, North View, Upperton Road, Eastbourne.’

1895 Gowland’s page 243 (Builders): Newman, W. J., Watts Lane.

1899 Sussex Kelly’s under Builders, ‘Newman W. & J. 31 Upperton Road, Eastbourne.’

1900 Gowland’s page 362 (Builders): Newman, W. and J., Watts Lane.

1903 Gowland’s page 289 (Builders): Newman, W., Watts Lane.

William Newman died in 1904, and the next entry for 1905 (below) was for his son Llewellyn Polhill Newman (born 1868).  

1905 Gowland’s (Builders): Newman, L. P., 24 Ocklynge Road.

The 1907 entry below lists Llewellyn’s brothers Harry & Ernest Albert.

1907 Gowland’s page 305 (Builders): Newman, H., and E. A., 31 Upperton Road, and Watts Lane.

Marriage, Census, and Death information: -

1859 July 23^rd marriage of William Newman, 23, b1836 (Bricklayer) & Mary Jane Polhill, 27, b1831 at Hailsham.  William’s father listed as ‘William Newman, Bricklayer.’  Mary’s father listed as ‘James Polhill, Tailor.’

1861 census: Address: Motcomb (sic) Lane.   William Newman, 24, (Bricklayer journeyman) & Mary J. Newman, 27.  Note that Mary’s Age is still given as 27.

1871 census: Address: 8 Crown Lane.   William Newman, 34, (Master Bricklayer employing 3 men & 1 boy) & Mary J. Newman, 38.  Children: James W., 9, Harry, 8 (incorrectly written as Henry), Mary L., 6, Catherine A., 5, Llewellyn, 3, Ernest A., 2, Alexander T., 6 months.

1881 census: Address: North View, Upperton Road.  William Newman, 44, (Bricklayer) & Mary Jane Newman, 48.  Harry, 18 (Bricklayer), Mary Louisa, 16, Llewellyn P., 13, Ernest Albert, 12, Alexander, 10, Ada Ellen, 8, and Thomas, 4.

1891 census: Address: North View, Upperton Road.  William Newman, 54, (Builder) & Mary J. Newman, 58.  Llewellyn P., 23 (Carpenter), Ernest A., 22 (Bricklayer), Alexander T., 20 (Painter), Ada E., 18, and Thomas, 14.

1901 census: Address: 31 Upperton Road.  William Newman, 64 (Builder/Employer), & Mary Jane Newman, 68.  Thomas, 24 (Schoolmaster), & Ada Ellen, 28.

William passed away in 1904 and his family grave is in Ocklynge Cemetery, plot UD340c.

William & Mary’s Sons: -

1901 census: Address: 19 Watts Lane, Ernest Albert Newman, 32, (Builders Assistant / Worker), and wife Clara, 32, daughter Marjorie Louie, 6, Caroline Head 74, mother-in-law (Widow).  Ernest died in 1937 aged 69, Clara died in 1933 aged 64, Marjorie died in 1904 aged 9 years.  All are buried in Ocklynge Cemetery in Plot UD339c next to William’s plot.

1901 census: Address: 51 Watts Lane.  Llewellyn Polhill Newman, 33, (Carpenter Joiner) & Annie E. M., 32.  Son: Arthur Llewellyn, 7, born Littlehampton.  Llewellyn died in 1936 aged 69, Annie died in 1950 aged 82, Arthur died in 1933 aged 40.  All are buried in Ocklynge Cemetery in Plot UA304c opposite William’s plot.

1901 census: Address: Glencoe, Motcombe Road (Mount Pleasant), Harry Newman, 38, (Bricklayer & general House Mason / Worker), & wife Edith, 36.  Children Gertrude P., 12, Elsie M., 11, Edith D., 8, Harry W., 5, and Reginald R., 4 months.  Harry died in 1938 aged 75, and Edith died in 1937 aged 73.  Harry and Edith are buried in Ocklynge Cemetery in Plot UC811c.

EHL312. R. BALCOMBE EASTBOURNE. c1905. Willowfield Road, Eastbourne, near the junction with Belmore Road. what3words location: weeded.butternut.door

 

1900 Gowland’s Directory - Gas Fitters & Hot Water Fitters: Balcombe R. 207 Seaside.

Richard died in 1904, but the business name was kept for the 1905 to 1914 Gowland’s as ‘Balcombe R. 207 Seaside, Works rear of 14 Seaside.’

 

Eastbourne Chronicle, July 29, 1916.  There is a report listing Richard’s son Frederick as a plumber, gas, and hot water fitter.  Frederick was given 4 months exemption from call-up to the army.

 

By 1920 the firm was listed as Balcombe F., 6 Romney Street.

 

Census, Marriage, and Death information: -

1851: September 14.  Baptism of Richard, son of Edward (a farmer) and Caroline Balcombe in the Parish of East Hoathly.

 

1877: December 29th.  Marriage at the Parish Church (St. Mary’s), Eastbourne, of Richard Balcombe, 26, Profession: White Smith, father Edward Balcombe (deceased), to Fanny Pelling, 24, father William Pelling (deceased).  

(Note: Whitesmithing developed as a speciality of blacksmithing in the 1700s, when extra time was given to filing and polishing certain products). 

 

1881 census: 81 Tideswell Road, Eastbourne.

Richard Balcombe, 29, Tinman and Zinc Worker, wife, Frances, 27, and 2 children, plus a lodger.

 

1891 census: 207 Seaside, Eastbourne.

Richard Balcombe, 39, Tinman, wife, Frances, 37, and 4 children.

 

1901 census: 207 Seaside, Eastbourne.

Richard Balcombe, 49, Plumber & Gasfitter, own account, at home, (self-employed working from home address), born Sussex, East Hoathly.

Frances Balcombe, Wife, 47, born Bristol.

Frances Balcombe, Daughter, Single, 22, Draper’s assistant, Worker, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

Frederick Balcombe, Son, Single, 19, Gasfitter, Worker, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

George A. Balcombe, Son, Single, 17, Carpenter, Worker, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

William H. Balcombe, Son, 15, Gasfitter, Worker, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

Albert G. Balcombe, Son, 9, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

 

1904 (third quarter): Death of Richard Balcombe aged 53 in Eastbourne.

Probate: Balcombe, Richard, of 207 Seaside Eastbourne, died 26 July 1904.  Administration Lewes, 7 November to Frances Balcombe, Widow.  Effects £488 19s 8d.

 

1911 census: 207 Seaside, Eastbourne.

Frances Balcombe, 58, Widow, born Somerset, Bristol.

Frederick Balcombe, Son, 29, Married, Plumber, Employer, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

William Balcombe, Son, 25, Single, Printer, Machinist, Worker, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

Albert Balcombe, Son, 19, Single, Plumber, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

Edith Balcombe, Daughter-in-law, 28, Married, born London, Vauxhall.

Edith Frances Balcombe, Grand Daughter, 4, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

Richard Frederick Balcombe, Grandson, 1, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

 

1916 (third quarter): Death of Frances Balcombe, aged 64, in Eastbourne.

MORRIS EASTBOURNE. c1900. Manifold Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: cars.noisy.pipes

Nicholas Polhill bought some land south of Cliffe High Street in Lewes in 1784 and, about two years later, built an iron foundry and workshop there, said to have been the only one in Sussex at the time and for forty years thereafter.  The buildings stood on the eastern side of the road afterwards known as Foundry Lane.  This foundry relied almost entirely on scrap metal, in contrast to the old Sussex Wealden ironworks which used locally-mined ore and were, by this time, virtually extinct.  In 1811 Polhill died and the business was taken over by James Sturt (with partner Thomas Gibson) until he also died in 1822, when it was acquired by Ebenezer Morris (1801-1888). Ebenezer was only 20 and had intended to be a farmer but, on the advice of his father, put the business in the hands of trustees and went off to gain experience of the ironmongery trade with a firm in Newgate Street, London.  He returned to Lewes in 1823, and as well as the foundry, added an ironmonger's shop and house at 41/42 Cliffe High Street. 

By the mid-19th century, a great business opportunity arose when the 2nd Earl of Burlingham (William Cavendish, 1808-1891, later the Duke of Cavendish) set about the development of Eastbourne, and Ebenezer Morris was quick to take advantage of this by setting up a branch in the town comprising a shop and a smaller works. The fact that the Earl's surveyor was James Berry, Ebenezer's brother-in-law, was no doubt an advantage. Large contracts for cast iron work of all descriptions were secured.  The Cliffe Foundry in Lewes closed in 1900 and any future casting work required was sub-contracted out, which may explain the different 'MORRIS (& SONS) EASTBOURNE' font types to be found.  A detailed history of the firm can be found via: thegilberts.net/FamMorrisIron

EHL341. MORRIS & SONS EASTBOURNE. c1900. 4 Mill Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: that.plank.opens

A line of six driveway access gully (gutter) plates marked ‘MORRIS & SONS EASTBOURNE.’

Nicholas Polhill bought some land south of Cliffe High Street in Lewes in 1784 and, about two years later, built an iron foundry and workshop there, said to have been the only one in Sussex at the time and for forty years thereafter.  The buildings stood on the eastern side of the road afterwards known as Foundry Lane.  This foundry relied almost entirely on scrap metal, in contrast to the old Sussex Wealden ironworks which used locally-mined ore and were, by this time, virtually extinct.  In 1811 Polhill died and the business was taken over by James Sturt (with partner Thomas Gibson) until he also died in 1822, when it was acquired by Ebenezer Morris (1801-1888). Ebenezer was only 20 and had intended to be a farmer but, on the advice of his father, put the business in the hands of trustees and went off to gain experience of the ironmongery trade with a firm in Newgate Street, London.  He returned to Lewes in 1823, and as well as the foundry, added an ironmonger's shop and house at 41/42 Cliffe High Street. 

By the mid-19th century, a great business opportunity arose when the 2nd Earl of Burlingham (William Cavendish, 1808-1891, later the Duke of Cavendish) set about the development of Eastbourne, and Ebenezer Morris was quick to take advantage of this by setting up a branch in the town comprising a shop and a smaller works. The fact that the Earl's surveyor was James Berry, Ebenezer's brother-in-law, was no doubt an advantage. Large contracts for cast iron work of all descriptions were secured.  The Cliffe Foundry in Lewes closed in 1900 and any future casting work required was sub-contracted out, which may explain the different 'MORRIS (& SONS) EASTBOURNE' font types to be found.  A detailed history of the firm can be found via: thegilberts.net/FamMorrisIron

EHL316. HUBBARD EASTBOURNE. c1900. Meads Road, Eastbourne, near the junction with St. John’s Road. what3words location: split.little.lions

A selection of Kelly’s, Gowland’s, and Pike’s Blue Book Trade entries: -

1890 Kelly’s Sussex: Ironmongers - Hubbard, E., 10 Junction Road, Eastbourne.

1895, 1900, 1905, & 1907 Gowland’s: Gas Fitters and Hot Water Fitters – Hubbard, E., Junction Road.

1897-98 & 1902-03 Pike’s Blue Book: Ironmongers and Hardware Dealers – Hubbard, E., 5, 20 Junction Road.

1905 & 1907 Gowland’s: Ironmongers - Hubbard, E., 10 Junction Road.

1910 & 1914 Gowland’s: Gas Fitters and Hot Water Fitters – Hubbards Limited, E., 5 and 20 Junction Road.

1910 & 1914 Gowland’s: Ironmongers – Hubbards Limited, E., 5 and 20 Junction Road.

1835 May 31st:  Baptism of Esau Hubbard, son of Joseph and Susan, in the Parish of Saint Dunstan, Stepney, Middlesex.  Father’s profession listed as Bedstead Maker.

1841 census: The family (parents and 5 children) living in Henry Street, Bedford Square, in the hamlet of Mile End New Town, Stepney, Middlesex (London).

1851 census: 16 year-old Esau living with his family at 52 Heath Street, Stepney, London.  He is employed as a Milk Boy.

1861 census: Esau (26, unmarried) is now a boarder at 7A Warrington Street, Marylebone, St. Pancras. Profession listed as Ironmongers Assistant.

1871 census: Still at 7A Warrington Street, but now with his wife Eliza, and 3 children.  Esau is now listed as an Ironmongers Shopman.

1874: Eastbourne Chronicle, January 24.  At the Police Court on Monday, Mr. Thomas Adkins, who lives in West Terrace, summoned his next-door neighbour, Mr. Esau Hubbard for keeping cocks which, by reason of their constant crowing, were a great annoyance to the neighbourhood, but the case fell through for want of legal proof.

1881 census: Eliza Hubbard (35, married) is recorded at 11 Tideswell Road, with Alfred 15, Emma 13, Charlotte 11 (presumably Theresa), Henry 9, Florence 6, and Walter 4.  Meanwhile, Esau (45, married, Ironmongers Foreman) is recorded at 9 St. Leonard’s Road.

1891 census: Esau, 54, Ironmonger, and Eliza, Wife, 45 now living at 10 Junction Road, with Charlotte 21, Florence 16, Dress Maker, Walter 14, Arthur 9, and Percy 6.

1896: The Bexhill-on-Sea Observer, Saturday, May 23.  A report titled ‘An Eastbourne Women’s Sudden Death’ explained how 51-year-old Eliza Hubbard, wife of Esau Hubbard, had been found unconscious outside 10 Upper Avenue, which is next door to 52 Commercial Road (the Hubbard family home) one Saturday evening after going shopping.  She was taken into No 52.  Mr Henry Habgood, M.D., was called for and he found her to be deceased.  A verdict of heart failure was recorded.

Note: 10 Upper Avenue is the first house on the left at the top of Cavendish Bridge, and 52 Commercial Road is the first house in that road and is attached to 10 Upper Avenue. 

1901 census: Dunford House, 52 Commercial Road, Eastbourne.
Esau Hubbard, Widower, 66, General Ironmonger Shopkeeper, Employer, born London, Stepney.
Emma L. Withers, Daughter, Married, 33, born Sussex, Eastbourne.
Florence C. Ford, Daughter, Married, 26, born Sussex, Eastbourne.
Louis G. Ford, Son-in-Law, Married, 21, Ironmongers Shop Assistant, Worker, born Hampshire, Mortimer West End.
Percy O. Hubbard, Son, 16, born Sussex, Eastbourne.
Percy L. Withers, Grandson, 8, born Hampshire, Fordingbridge.
Nesta M. L. Withers, Grandson, 1, born Hampshire, Fordingbridge.
Clara Hughes, Servant, 14, Domestic, born Sussex, Eastbourne.

1905: Eastbourne Gazette, November 22.  Death of Mr. E. Hubbard.  We regret to record the death of Mr. Esau Hubbard, ironmonger, of Junction Road.  Deceased, who was 70 years of age, came to Eastbourne from London, and was for 28 years manager of Mr. Simmons’ shop in Terminus Road.  Mr. Hubbard commenced business on his own account in Junction Road 18 years ago.  For some time past he had been ailing, but the end came suddenly.  Deceased was sitting in his chair on Saturday evening talking about business, and almost immediately afterwards he became unconscious, and remained so until he passed away about ten o’clock on Sunday morning.  Deceased leaves three sons and five daughters.  The funeral will take place tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon.  The first portion of the service will be at the Pevensey Road Congregational Church, of which the deceased was one of the oldest members.  Internment at Ocklynge Cemetery at 3pm.

Note: I have added Esau Hubbard’s memorial (Plot A48u) to ‘Find a Grave’ for Ocklynge Cemetery, and have also added a separate memorial (Plot J1250c) and biographical information for Esau’s son-in-law Louis (as Louis G. Ford) who founded the famous Eastbourne builders’ merchants.  There is a 2-page article by Alan Fairhead about Louis G. Ford in the Summer 2003 Eastbourne Local Historian magazine, Issue No 128.  

EHL254. A J BESSANT - PLUMBER - EASTBOURNE. 1890-1900. 19 Carew Road, Eastbourne. what3words location: regime.museum.brave

Double driveway access gully (gutter) plate marked ‘A J BESSANT – PLUMBER – EASTBOURNE.’ 

I have taken just a selection of directory entries for A. J. Bessant from 1890 to 1920 to give an idea of the different trades Alfred was involved in spanning that period.  Also, a later 1965 entry.

1890 Pike’s Blue Book page 374 Builders, page 390 Engineers, South Street & Mark Lane.

1900 Gowland’s page 417 Plumbers, 32 Grove Road.

1903 Gowland’s page 311 Gas Fitters & Hot Water Fitters, Grove Road.

1905 Gowland’s page 341 Plumbers & Sanitary Engineers, 32 Grove Road and Mark Lane.

1907 Gowland’s page 318 Electrical Engineers, page 347 Plumbers & Sanitary Engineers, 32 Grove Road and Mark Lane.

1909-10 Pike’s Blue Book page 411 Electricians, 32 Grove Road and Mark Lane.

1914 Gowland’s page 324 Builders, St. Leonard’s Road; page 341 Electrical Engineers, page 345 Gas Fitters & Hot Water Fitters, page 350 House Decorators, Painters, and Paperhangers, page 372 Plumbers & Sanitary Engineers, 32 Grove Road.

1920 as per 1914.

Entry for 1965 Kelly’s page 518 (Builders) Bessant A. J. Ltd (& heating & electrical engineers), 36 Grove Road (Tel. 454) & (yard) St. Leonard’s Road.

Census information for Alfred John Bessant, born Chelsea, Middlesex (London), 1855.

1871 census: Age 16 living at 10 Warwick Square Mews, St. George Hanover Square, London & Middlesex with his parents and seven siblings.  Warwick Square Mews was used to house the coachmen (and coaches) and their families and were attached to the large mansions lining Warwick Square itself.

1881 census: Alfred (listed as ‘Gas Fitter’) and his 19-year-old wife Sarah Elizabeth (nee Reese) were listed as ‘visitors’ to a family in Wales, presumably relatives.

1891 census: (incorrectly shown on Find My past as ‘Alfred T Bessant’): Alfred is now listed as ‘Plumber’ and is living in South Street with his wife Sarah and his parents.

1901 census: Alfred (Electrical Engineer/Employer) and Sarah are now living at 32 Grove Road with a 15-year-old boarder, Ralph Robson (Electrical Apprentice), and Ellen Newman, a 30-year-old widow (Servant Domestic).

Sarah Elizabeth passed away on February 21^st 1909 aged 47 years (see gravestone picture).

1911 census: Alfred (Builder), aged 56, and his second wife (married 30^th April 1910) Nellie May (nee Robson), aged 31, are now living at 3 Southfields Road with their one-month-old son Jack Gordon Bessant, plus a nurse Alice Russ, and Domestic Servant Edith Head.  The 1911 baptism record states Alfred’s profession as ‘Electrical Engineer’, and the child’s name as Gordon rather than Jack Gordon.  Presumably Alfred had met Nellie previously when he employed her brother as his apprentice in 1901.

1921 census: Still living at 3 Southfields Road, with 3 children, and 2 visitors.

Alfred passed away January 1939 and is buried in Ocklynge Cemetery (grave located by Danielle Wilson).

Nellie May passed away in 1947.

EHL263. A I FEAR EASTBOURNE. c1900. EF Language Schools Ltd, Roborough House, 1 Upper Avenue, Eastbourne. what3words location: note.pool.digit

A selection of entries in Gowland’s, Pike’s, and Kelly’s Directories, plus newspaper notices for Alfred Isaac Fear: -

1895 Gowland’s page 282, Gas Fitters & Hot Water Fitters: Fear, I., 40 Pevensey Road.

Eastbourne Gazette, March 1895, ‘For Sale’ column: ‘1895 CUSHON Safeties from £9 15s.  Sole Agent in Eastbourne for the celebrated James and Bayliss Thomas and Co’s Excelsior Cycles; very liberal discount – Apply to Alfred I. Fear, Cycle Agent, 40 Pevensey Road, Eastbourne.’

Eastbourne Gazette, June 1895, ‘For Sale’ column: ‘Special Offer, Wheeler & Wilson’s Sewing Machines at 20% discount for cash or on easy terms – Apply to their sole agent in Eastbourne, Alfred I. Fear, 40 Pevensey Road.’

1897-98 & 1902-03 Pike’s Blue Book page 338, Ironmongers & Hardware Dealers: Fear, A. I., 40 Pevensey Road & 56 Langney Road.

1907 & 1914 Gowland’s page 323 & 345, Gas Fitters & Hot Water Fitters: Fear, A. I., Pevensey Road; page 334 & 355 Ironmongers, Fear, A. I., 40 Pevensey Road & 1 Church Street.

Eastbourne Gazette, September 1916, ‘Public Notices’ column, relating to wartime restrictions: ‘We, the undersigned IRONMONGERS, owing to our depleted staffs and the greatly restricted lighting orders, have decided to close our respective Establishments on and after October 2nd each evening at 6, Saturdays and Wednesdays excepted.  Soliciting the help of our customers by shopping in daylight and thus helping to carry on our various businesses to our mutual advantage.

Signed: -

E. MORRIS & SONS, 66 Seaside Road.

ARTHUR CAPLIN, Seaside Road.

W. S. SQUIRE, 22 Terminus Road.

ALFRED I. FEAR 40 Pevensey Road, and 1 Church Street.

HUBBARDS. LTD., 14 Cornfield Road.

NICHOLSON & ADE, 27 to 35 South Street.

W. H. BRADING & CO, Grove Road.

SMITH & CO, 89 South Street.

1920 Gowland’s page 372, Gas Fitters & Hot Water Fitters, and page 373 Ironmongers: Fear, A. I., 1 Church Street.

The Western Times, May 1920 notice advertising the sale of ‘B.S.A., Royal Enfield, Swift, Royal Ruby, Ariel etc’ cycles.  Plus, tennis, golf, fishing, and cricket equipment from ‘Alfred I. Fear & Son, Cycle Stores, 16, The Arcade, Oakhampton and at Eastbourne.’

1934 Kelly’s Sussex page 859, Ironmongers – Retail: Fear Alfred Isaac, 1 Church St. Old Town, & 2 Borough Lane, Old Town, Eastbourne.

Census, Marriage, and Death information: -

1881 census: Address: 25 Olive Street, Ledbury, Herefordshire.  Alfred, 18, Ironmongers Assistant, is living at the family home.  Place of birth listed as Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire.

1891 census: Address: 7 Bayford Road, Littlehampton.  Alfred, 28, Foreman Ironmonger, listed as a Boarder.

1891 Marriage, Alfred Isaac Fear to Louie Smith at Horsham.

1901 census: Address: 23 Ersham Road (Hailsham), Alfred I. Fear, 38, Ironmonger, and wife Louie, 31, born Littlehampton.  Children, Charles A Fear, 8, born Littlehampton, Eric F Fear, 7, born Littlehampton.

1911 census: Address: 1 Church Street, Eastbourne. Alfred Isaac Fear, 48, (Ironmonger Dealer / Employer), and wife Louie, 42.  Children, Charles Alfred Fear, 18, (Engineer Motor Branch Eastbourne Corporation), Eric Frank Fear, 17, (Ironmongers Assistant), Leslie Roy Fear, 6, born Eastbourne.  Plus, Nellie May Keeley, 18, (Servant, Housemaid Domestic), born Battle, Sussex.

1921 census: Address: 2 Borough Lane, Eastbourne.  Wife Louie Fear, 52, (Home Duties), younger son Eric (Ironmonger, employed by A.I. Fear, Ironmonger) working at 1 Church Street, Leslie Roy, 16, (Poultry Keeping).

The 1921 census also shows that Alfred (Ironmonger / Employer, place of work 1 Church Street, Eastbourne) was visiting his brother in Exeter at this time with his eldest son Charles, who is listed as ‘Motor & Cycle Engineer, employed by A.I. Fear, 16 Arcade Oakhampton.’

6th May 1947 Alfred passed away at The Royal West Sussex Hospital Chichester.  His final address was given as 60 Wick Street, Littlehampton.