Tour of pre 1900 Liverpool

[Hambleton96]

I am writing about Ellen Bennett who moved as a child to Gay Street (Scotland Rd area) 1827 from Chester via Manchester. Her father was James Fletcher who had a clock and watch business there. She then lived mostly in Stafford Street, which I have visited. I only know Liverpool sketchily and would like to do some sort of guided (walking?) tour of any streets that have Victorian or pre-Victorian houses to give me a better idea of the sort of accommodation she would have lived in. I know Gay Street isn't there now. Does anyone know of a person who would do this for me? Thanks in advance for any help.

[Blue70]

Looking at a mid 19th century map Gay Street looks to have had various types of properties there appear to be houses, certainly courts and likely business and retail properties. You won't be able to get a modern view of a similar street containing all these types of properties. The buildings would probably have been three storey with cellars. There was a Baptist Chapel in the north east corner of the street, no idea when it was founded. Here's a link about Ben Jonson Street the next street:-

http://streetsofliverpool.co.uk/ben-jon ... eet-c1890/


Blue

[Blue70]

Gore’s Directory 1827

Bennett, Martha, 10, Gay Street Liverpool
Blackburn, James, teacher, 3, Gay Street Liverpool
Burne, Edward, slater and plasterer, 9, Gay Street Liverpool
Dixon, John, book keeper, 12, Gay Street Liverpool
Doward, Joseph, milkhouse, 13, Gay Street Liverpool
Jackson, William, slater and plasterer, 1, Gay Street Liverpool
Johnson, John, shoemaker, Gay Court, Gay Street Liverpool
Lermont, George, shoemaker, Gay Court, Gay Street Liverpool
Lowrey, Lydia, boarding house, 2, Gay Street Liverpool
Maddox, Charles, brewer, brewery, 4, Gay Street Liverpool
Maudsley, Ruth, 5, Gay Street Liverpool
Read, Samuel H, 4, Gay Street Liverpool
Waistle, John, joiner, 9, Gay Street Liverpool
Westhead, Sarah, 8, Gay Street Liverpool
Woods, William, joiner, 7, Gay Street Liverpool

Gore’s Directory 1829

Fletcher, James, clock & watch maker, William Court, Gay Street Liverpool


Blue

[MaryA]

Mentioned in a previous post, you may wish to read this https://www.liverpool-genealogy.org.uk/ ... it=galkoff that mentions plans for the last remaining Court house that may be renovated for display.

You would enjoy a visit to the Liverpool Museum at the waterfront which has a small area set up in the style of a court.

[daggers]

If you are thinking of a professional guide, this link may help:
http://www.visitliverpool.com/things-to ... ce-p308881

D

[retiringtype]

There's a circa 1890 photo of Ben Jonson Street which may be of interest. Between Gay Street and Bent Street. http://streetsofliverpool.co.uk/ben-jon ... eet-c1890/

[Blue70]

c1864





Blue

[Blue70]

The court here might be Willan Court and 'William' might be an error there are mentions in directories of Willan Court:-

Gore’s Directory 1829

Fletcher, James, clock & watch maker, William Court, Gay Street Liverpool


There's a James Fletcher, blockmaker, Gay Street, Liverpool in the 1832 Poll Book on Ancestry perhaps a coincidence or a misheard error.


Blue

[Hambleton96]

Thanks Blue70. Interesting it seems it is Willan Court, not William. Blockmaker must be 'clockmaker'! thanks also for the map and Gore's excerpt and your take on what Gay Street would have consisted of. If it was anything like Ben Jonson street it looks a bit basic.

Thanks Daggers and MaryA for tour ideas - I will make a plan for a visit!

[Blue70]

People's perceptions of streets and areas change over time. In the 1820s Gay Street was probably thought of differently than it was at the end of the century. Looking at the occupations in the early directories there's an absence of labourers in the houses perhaps there were some in the courts. Looking at the 1901 Census a lot of the head of households were labourers at a later date. It seems to have been basic housing but the occupants were better off than most people at that time in the 1820s so I would think living conditions would have been healthier than some parts of the town.


Blue