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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Cheshire => Topic started by: David Posnett on Sunday 18 December 11 15:36 GMT (UK)

Title: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: David Posnett on Sunday 18 December 11 15:36 GMT (UK)
My g.grandmother was Frances Proud, who's relatives came from Chester.  My g.uncle William Edwards was taken up to Chester to live with his grandparents by 1911 as he had ill health.  Apparently he became known as Billy Proud over time.  They ran Prouds of Chester, then an iron mongers, now a Fireplace shop.  Does anyone know any more about the shop, or the relatives?  The shop is at 27-29 Christelton Road, Chester.  I have no idea if it was always at that location.

Any info/pictures would be greatly appreciated.

David
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: stanmapstone on Sunday 18 December 11 16:12 GMT (UK)
Google Street View http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ikj/

Stan
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: stanmapstone on Sunday 18 December 11 16:25 GMT (UK)
In Kelly's Directory of Cheshire, 1896, Frank John Proud, hot water engineer, was at 29? Raymond Street, Chester.
In Kelly's Directory of Cheshire, 1902, Frank John Proud, was at 23 Christleton Road,
In Kelly's Directory of Cheshire, 1914, F.J. Proud & Sons, hot water engineers, were at 27 Christleton Road, and Delamere Street.
http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/

Stan
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: junev on Sunday 18 December 11 16:30 GMT (UK)
Hi,

A Francis John Proud Chester whitesmith left a Will in 1923 (Cheshire Archives & Local Studies)

Junev
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: stanmapstone on Sunday 18 December 11 16:40 GMT (UK)
In the 1901 Census Francis J. Proud, age 59, Heating Engineer & Ironmonger, was living at 23 Christleton Road. With the family is William B.W. Edwards, age 8, grandson.
Google Street View http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ikl/
Stan
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: David Posnett on Sunday 18 December 11 17:18 GMT (UK)
Wow what quick responses, thank you! 

I've not seen the Kellys directories, so thank you for that I will take a look. Google streetview is a great idea, it's great to see the shop.  I'd not found William in 1901, shows how much of a newbie I am.   I'll look at the will too.

Thanks all.
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: rosie99 on Sunday 18 December 11 17:29 GMT (UK)
Hi,
A Francis John Proud Chester whitesmith left a Will in 1923 (Cheshire Archives & Local Studies)
Junev

From the probate calendar
Francis John Proud of Ash Mount 82 Yarvin Road, Chester died 22nd September 1922
Probate 26th September to Charles Thomas Proud and Morton George Proud heating engineers £8875 5s 11d

Harriet Edna Proud of Ash Mount 82 Tarvin Road Cheshire widow died 26th April 1923 Probate London 9th January to Charles Thomas Proud Ironmonger and John Henry Stee Schoolteacher Effects  £140
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: junev on Sunday 18 December 11 17:39 GMT (UK)
Hi,

The firm went on after Francis's death as the archives in Chester have
1960 - plans for central heating installation at a school & 1949 correspondence regarding removal of a boiler!

Junev
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: David Posnett on Sunday 18 December 11 17:41 GMT (UK)
Francis and Harriet Proud were my gg.grandparents. A scary looking couple!
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: David Posnett on Sunday 18 December 11 17:43 GMT (UK)
Hi,

The firm went on after Francis's death as the archives in Chester have
1960 - plans for central heating installation at a school & 1949 correspondence regarding removal of a boiler!

Junev

Where did you find that June?
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: junev on Sunday 18 December 11 17:52 GMT (UK)
Hi,

A2A  via www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/

which is the National Archives Access to Archives

then advanced search

repository Cheshire & Chester Archives & Local Studies - there were only 13 entries under Proud

Junev
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: David Posnett on Sunday 18 December 11 18:43 GMT (UK)
Thank you June, that is really helpful.
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: stanmapstone on Sunday 18 December 11 19:18 GMT (UK)
Hi,

The firm went on after Francis's death
Junev

F.J Proud & Sons is still there now. Although it is not owned by the original family.

F J Proud and Sons is a family-run store that has been trading in Chester for more than 100 years.
First established as a Bell makers in 1896 by Frank John Proud, the long established store has moved more in the direction of an ironmongers during the 1940’s when Mr Churchill took over the reins.
In 1985 Mr Churchill’s son, Keith took over the business. After stocking an extensive range of garden products including terracotta pots. F J Proud’s expanded into the growing fireplace industry over 25 years ago.
http://www.fireplacescheshire.co.uk/About_Us.html

Stan
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: stanmapstone on Sunday 18 December 11 19:32 GMT (UK)
Hi,

The firm went on after Francis's death as the archives in Chester have
1960 - plans for central heating installation at a school & 1949 correspondence regarding removal of a boiler!

Junev

[no title]  ZD/ES/40/28  Not dated. [c.1968]

Contents:
Plan of central heating installation at school, Proud & Sons, Ltd., heating.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0il0/


Stan
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: rosie99 on Monday 19 December 11 07:38 GMT (UK)
Francis and Harriet Proud were my gg.grandparents. A scary looking couple!

They are not that scary, just a typical photo of the time.  ;D  I love the beard  :D
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: David Posnett on Monday 19 December 11 09:24 GMT (UK)
Does anyone have an idea of the date of the photos?  I don't have the originals, so I have no more information than you can see on here.
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: Taidquest on Monday 19 December 11 09:53 GMT (UK)
Hi,I also have an interest in this building or the one next to it
as My grandfather John Owens stayed in the upper part of it during ww11
as a lodger along with other men working in the boughton aircraft factory.
This address was on a letter of condolence received by my grandmother in 1947 in Dublin
when my granddad died.I believe the name on the letter was the surname Frost.
                                                                                                   Anne
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: rosie99 on Monday 19 December 11 13:13 GMT (UK)
Does anyone have an idea of the date of the photos?  I don't have the originals, so I have no more information than you can see on here.

If you post them on the restoration board someone on there can probably date them for you.

Rosie
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: stanmapstone on Monday 19 December 11 13:49 GMT (UK)
The photographers R W Morris were at    7 St. Werburgh Mount, Chester, Cheshire1892 - 1910, and at 27 St Werburgh Street, Chester 1914 - 1938


Stan
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: David Posnett on Monday 19 December 11 14:19 GMT (UK)
Thank you Rosie and Stan,  Stan you find all sorts of interesting facts!
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: bonzo on Sunday 29 July 12 14:07 BST (UK)
I rember William W B Edwards, i served my apprenticeship at Proud & sons
Heating Engineers between 1958 & 1964, Bill edwars as we called him still
called in the works & Office in Delemere St Chester, His son Keith Edwards
worked ther as well.

 Bonzo
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: David Posnett on Monday 04 March 13 18:13 GMT (UK)
I rember William W B Edwards, i served my apprenticeship at Proud & sons
Heating Engineers between 1958 & 1964, Bill edwars as we called him still
called in the works & Office in Delemere St Chester, His son Keith Edwards
worked ther as well.

 Bonzo

I have not been on this site for a long time, so hadn't seen this Bonzo.   

That is fascinating, what can you tell me about Bill?  Do you have any idea why he went to Chester when he was about 10, to live with his grandparents?

Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: bonzo on Monday 04 March 13 19:11 GMT (UK)
Hi David.

 I am away for 3 weeks from thursday, when i return i will see if i can find any information for you.

 Bonzo ex Heating Engineer, i worked for 14 years at Proud & Sons, i know Wiiliam Edwards
had one son a Keith Edwards.

 Regards Bonzo
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: wilcoxon on Thursday 07 March 13 22:31 GMT (UK)
A bit of frivolity

CITY POLICE COURT .
Cheshire Observer Saturday, June 28, 1890;
Frank John Proud of Christleton Road was summoned at the instance of the Inland Revenue Authorities for keeping a dog with out a licence at his workshop in Raymond Street. Fines 5s with costs.
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: MargP on Thursday 07 March 13 23:14 GMT (UK)
Hi Dave

Where do your Prouds originate from, mine are from Staffordshire

Margp
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: Stephanie Smith on Tuesday 09 August 22 17:14 BST (UK)
Hi David,
Whilst looking for a photograph of My Grandpa’s shop, “Prouds of Chester “ I came across your post.
I never went to the shop in Christleton Road but passed it many times. I did however, accompany Grandpa Edwards to the office a few times in Delemere Street. My mother was Hilary Edwards the youngest of his children. He sadly Died when I was 12 , but remember him being a wonderful kind person. His eldest daughter, Brenda,is still alive, Living in Australia. Steph
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: Jayson on Wednesday 11 January 23 13:02 GMT (UK)
There is a family of this name that ran a lunatic asylum in Bilston, Staffordshire
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: MargP on Wednesday 11 January 23 17:39 GMT (UK)
Yes I have a lot of info on the Prouds from Bilston my surname is Proud
Title: Re: Prouds of Chester - The shop and the family!
Post by: History Lives on Wednesday 18 January 23 23:13 GMT (UK)
Interesting!