Hi to John
I've already written this message but when I tried to post is the information with some images attached seems to have been lost in the ether. The information I am trying to send are not subject to crown copyright and should not breech any copyright laws - perhaps the file was too large. They are images of the White's Directory 1847 and Whellan's Directory 1855. I'll attempt to insert them in this email.
Your gx3 grandfather Edward Straughan' s parents Robert and Eleanor were not on Holy Island (HI) on the 1841 census. However, as you probably already know they are there by the 1851 census onward.
The Straughans had the Iron Rails Inn on the island. It also looks as if one of their sons, George, became a tailor on the island and he too is mentioned in the trade directories.
Another trade directory states
'In a square, formerly the market place, is a beautiful cross of stone...It is surrounded by iron railings and encloses a sun dial'.
This hopefully give some clue to the whereabouts of the inn.
I've attempted an image of the trade directory without success so will give the information as below;
White's Directory 1847
J Beadnal, vict., Ship ell shopkeeper and post office
James Bowmaker, vict., Swan
Wm Cornet, vict.,
R Douglas, vict., Britannia
George Harrison, vict., St Cuthbert
Thomas McIntosh, vict., Selby Arms
George Rankin, vict., Anchor
ROBERT STRAUGHAN, vict., THE IRON RAILS
Wm Wilson, vict and harbour master
Thomas Trew is the local tailor then and Ralph Wilson is the pilot.
It looks as if some of them doubled up on lots of the occupations - not surprising for so small a community.
By the 1855 Whellan's Trade Directory George is a tailor with Thomas Thew.
By 1855
Jane Rankin has the Anchor
George Grey (also shopkeeper) the Britannia
Thomas Thew (also tailor) the Castle
William Rankin (also farmer) the Fisherman's Arms
ROBERT STRAUGHAN the Iron Rails
William Wilson (also harbour master) the Northumberland Arms
Roderick McIntosh (also shopkeeper) the Selby Arms
John Beadnel (also formerly shopkeeper and post office) the Ship
Margaret Bowmaker (sister of James Bowmaker) the Swan.
As you probably already know, again, in 1851 Robert is described as a pilot and so it looks as if he has doubled up his occupations.
Edward his son is a 12 year old and George his oldest is a 21 year old tailor.
By 1861 Robert Straughan is described as a farmer. His son John is a 20 year old farm labourer.
It was chucking out time at Woodhorn before I got a chance to look at 1871 and onward.
Hope this is of assistance.
J.A