Trade directories provide a valuable source of infromation about the businesses operating at different times. An analysis of Barton Turf businesses and the people running them from 1836 to 1937 has been compiled using information in trade directories. This can be downloaded as a PDF document. The data has been compressed into a single page to aid viewing and is best viewed at about 400%.
Accommodation
From 1890 to 1904 the Salmon-Coxes are recorded as providing accommodation or apartments.
Basket Maker
James Haylett is recorded as basket maker from 1892 to 1933 and is then succeeded by William James Haylett in 1937. The 1871, 1881 and 1891 censuses shows James Haylett as a basket maker and by 1901 he is joined in the business by sons William and Herbert. By 1911 both sons are recorded as marshmen and Herbert (Jack) died the same year. For further information about the Hayletts and their basket making business, see the Haylett page.
Beer Retailer
James Yaxley is recorded as a beer retailer from 1864 to 1904, being succeeded after his death in 1907 by his son Horace from 1908 to 1916. The 1901 census has Horace shown as a barman. Horace died in 1917 in Ypres during the First World War and is remembered in the War Memorial. The business was then taken over by his elder brother John who is recorded as running it from 1918 to 1937. For more information about the business, see the Hole in the Wall page.
Blacksmith
The first record of a blacksmith in the trade directories is in 1854, although there must have been blacksmiths in the village for centuries before this. John Watts is shown as having the blacksmith’s business from 1854 to 1892, when he would have been about 68. From 1896 to 1922 Joseph (Salmon) Cox has the business. By 1929 Edward John Cozens is recorded as the blacksmith and continues to be in 1937.
Joe Salmon Cox ran his business at the forge on Barton Common, now converted to a bungalow. See the Welcome Gallery for a photograph of the forge. The following description is taken from John Yaxley’s A Jam Round Barton Turf:
On the left the bungalow here has been converted and much enlarged from what was the local blacksmith’s shop. Closed around 1930, the last tradesman here was Joe Salmon Cox then living at Point Farm. Doing general smithy work, he also made fittings as required by his two brothers ‘Jeerky and Harbit’ at Barton Staithe for the various boats and wherries being repaired and built there. Boys of the village have spent much time in here, at the bellows and in the adjoining ‘travus’ travehouse where the local horses were shod.
Ted Cozens had his workshop in Hall Road, close to where the lime kiln stood. It was he who made the village sign, erected to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Village sign
Click on image to view full size
Boot and Shoe Maker and Repairer
Boot and shoe making and repair feature in some trade directories, but not all. In 1836 James Gilding, Robert Staff and Robert Walpole are listed. James Gilding remains in 1845, joined by John Barber and John Cork. John Barber alone is listed in 1850 to be replaced by William Dix in 1854, 1864, 1883 and 1890. John Price is also mentioned in 1890. There are no further listings until 1922 when John W Oldham is recorded. Bertie C Long appears in 1929, 1933 and 1937 with William John Yaxley added in 1929.
Bricklayer and Builder
There are only two listings in the trade directories analysed. In 1864 Matthew Baldwin is shown as a bricklayer. Our research into the Baldwin family has shown that most of the men were bricklayers. In 1904 Henry Watts Junior is recorded as a builder, although the 1901 and 1911 censuses record his occupation as carpenter.
Carpenter and Joiner
The first listing is for John Francis from 1836 to 1868, joined by James Watts in 1854. Next comes Henry Watts from 1877 to 1900 and then Jack Goodwin in 1929 and 1933. In 1937 Robert John Hook appears. Bob Hook shared a workshop with Ted Cozens as the following extract from John Yaxley’s A Jam Round Barton Turf makes clear:
On the western corner here, and near the road was the last village carpenter’s shop, worked by a Mr Bob Hook. Of corrugated iron construction, and lying parallel with the road, the further end was the workshop of Mr Ted Cousins, the village’s last blacksmith.
Carriage Dealer
There is just one listing, that of Robert Woodrow in the 1892 Kelly’s.
Carrier
Leonard Lubbock is listed a the carrier from 1890 to 1904, succeeded by his son-in-law Oliver Shepherd from 1908 to 1937.
Carter
The only carter recorded is William John Yaxley from 1933 to 1937.
Cattle Dealer
The sole entry is that of Jacob Neve in the 1875 Kelly’s.
Fisherman
James Hewitt is listed a a fisherman from 1857 to 1869.
Gardener
James Tate is the first gardener recorded in 1837, followed by John Gale(s) from 1845 to 1875 with the addition of William Short in 1857. William Gales in 1890 is the only other entry.
Glazier and Plumber
There is an entry for Shepherd in 1864. This may be Benjamin Shepherd whose occupation is recorded in the 1861 and 1871 censuses as painter. There are listings for James Coman from 1875 to 1912.
Lime Burner
Abraham Webster is recorded as lime burner from 1836 to 1850, with William Webster taking over in 1854. There are no listings after that.
Marshman
James Haylett is listed from 1892 to 1904, William Hewitt from 1892 to 1916 and George Cox from 1904 to 1933.
Farmer, Market Gardener and Smallholder
For information on these businesses, see the Farms page.
Miller, Corn and Flour Dealer
The millers listed start with Thomas Cadge in 1836, followed by Harriet Cadge from 1845 to 1857. Then comes Robert Goulder from 1864 to 1877 and Henry Christmas Goulder from 1883 to 1896. From 1900 to 1937 Samuel Chapman is shown as a corn and flour dealer.
Rat and Mole Killer
The is just one entry for William Cox in 1896.
Tailor
William Jeary is listed as a tailor in 1864.
Thatcher
There are entries for Humphrey Starling in 1854 and 1864, and from 1883 to 1916, this being the son of the first Humphrey Starling.
Veterinary Surgeon
Also listed as a threshing machine owner, George Daniels is recorded as a veterinary surgeon from 1896 to 1904. He was also a farmer, occupying Ikens Farm.
Wheeler and Wheelwright
From 1836 to 1850 Robert Gilding is recorded as a wheelwright. Stephen Dix is listed in 1866, Robert Woodrow in 1892 and Henry Watts Junior from 1904 to 1916.
Wherry Owner, Water Conveyance and Waterman
James Amos is listed from 1836 to 1850, to be joined by John Gilden in 1854. John Gilding is recorded in 1883 together with William Hewitt in 1890.
Reed Merchant
James Hewitt is listed between 1857 and 1869 amd George Cox in 1933.