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Some Special Interests => Travelling People => Topic started by: Grocerpen on Wednesday 14 September 22 19:46 BST (UK)

Title: Beast Market, Wrexham Showmen
Post by: Grocerpen on Wednesday 14 September 22 19:46 BST (UK)
A first post in here for me.
Great great grandfather Thomas Hall(b1851 Warrington,lancs) was showman. Have photos of his daughter and grand daughter with the wagons that they lived in and also the Victorian fair.
I have a photo and trying to figure person on it through name- I’m presuming it was only the male that would have initials on a wagon? Would a widow have their initial?
As seen in photo- ME**AM or maybe ME***AM
Can anyone offer advice please for deciphering name? Manythanks
I’ve tried to attach photo!
Title: Re: Beast Market, Wrexham Showmen
Post by: Talacharn on Thursday 15 September 22 16:32 BST (UK)
Unable to help with the name. There is a website of Welsh travellers, including fairground showmen. It has a page about wagons being restored. There is also a page with credits and it names several regarding the wagons. They might be able to provide a contact who could know.
http://www.valleystream.co.uk/varwelshcol.htm (http://www.valleystream.co.uk/varwelshcol.htm)
Title: Re: Beast Market, Wrexham Showmen
Post by: Grocerpen on Thursday 15 September 22 17:03 BST (UK)
Many thanks for your reply.
I do have some more photos of relatives that are outside their wagon so will certainly look at the site you have recommended. They came from Lancashire but obviously spent time in Wales at the Wrexham fair.
Title: Re: Beast Market, Wrexham Showmen
Post by: cath151 on Thursday 15 September 22 19:12 BST (UK)
There is a mention of a Jacob Mesham charged with foul language at the Beast Market, Wrexham whilst setting up stalls and booths,  in Wrexham Advertiser in 1883. Described in another piece as a travelling hawker.
Could Mesham fit?
Cathy
Title: Re: Beast Market, Wrexham Showmen
Post by: cath151 on Thursday 15 September 22 19:45 BST (UK)
Possible variant Messham which might fit better, there is a Mary Messham and daughter living !in caravan, Beast Market, Wrexham in 1891 Census.
Cathy
Title: Re: Beast Market, Wrexham Showmen
Post by: Grocerpen on Thursday 15 September 22 19:56 BST (UK)
Thank you. Will check if there’s any connection to the Hall family. I know Thomas Hall(1851)was a hawker in 1891 and then involved in the fairs. The kids in the photo are also in another family at the fair.
Title: Re: Beast Market, Wrexham Showmen
Post by: Ingham88 on Monday 19 December 22 00:16 GMT (UK)
My name is John Messham and that is the name on the wagon. We are a romani gypsy family some of our cousins were involved in shows. Most of the family stopped at chester and North Wales. And quite a few messhams married Boswells and Smiths. Any more photos would be much appreciated as I've never seen that one before.