Hastings....Stratford Place vs White Rock

[UncleLarry]

Could someone familiar with Hastings enlighten me.....I am researching a business that was located at 4 Stratford Place in Hastings, from about 1861 to about 1883/1884 at which time it was moved to 39 White Rock, or so I thought. This evening when "wandering around" the 'Post Office Directory of Sussex 1878', on page 3256 it says.....and I quote "James Foord, 4 Stratford Place, White Rock, Hastings". I am confused, would appreciate if anyone could straighten me out. And while we are at it, should St Leonards be considered "within" Hastings?
Thanks in advance, very much.........from Canada.....Larry Foord

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi Larry

Welcome to Rootschat and especially the Sussex Forums which we think is the best one here on rootschat - lets hope we can help you in your quest for ancestors.

Yes, Stratford Place is a continuation of White Rock Road up to the junction of Robertson Street.  I am pretty sure that by 1881, the street had been renumbered and think that No 4 Stratford Place became No 39 White Rock, - anyway, Stratford Place had dissappeared.

Up to about 1881, Rock & Co were Coachmakers in Stratford Place - very well known business that built carraiges for Queen Victoria, but in the 1881 directory they are at No 40 White Rock Place - White Rock ended at No 43 and then became Robertson Street.
 
Will search my archives for a map to try and download for you.

And while we are at it, should St Leonards be considered "within" Hastings?

Yes, after they knocked the dividing archway down between St Leonards and Hastings in the middle of the night, (Council workmen demolished the stone secretly overnight in 1895, much to the horror of local residents. All that remains of the arch today is a large piece of granite by the roadside) the two communities joined.

Chris in 1066

NB. Just read in Historic Hastings that "White Rock was formerly called Stratford Place"

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi again

Found these entries in the trade directories of 1852 - 1858 - probably just before your ancestors moved there

Dressmaker & Milliner.
Mme Victorine Winsor, 4 Stratford place (b. Paris 1803, married to an out-of-business tradesman; 4 daughters)
Isabella Winsor, 4 Stratford place

1862 Post Office Directory
Ford Jas, watchmaker & Jeweller, 4 Stratford Place, White Rock

1866 Post Office Directory
Foord James,Watchmaker, jeweller & Silversmith, 4 Stratford Place, White Rock

1872 Parsons Directory
Foord James, 4 Stratford Place - Watch & Clock Maker

I notice by the time of the 1881 Street Directory - 39 White Rock is still a Gold & Silversmith, but under the name of Sydney Allen.

Chris in 1066

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi Larry

Found this picture in my archives - the archway belongs to Rock & Co at No 40 White Rock, therefore the building on its left must be your ancestors shop at No 39.
Straight ahead is Robertson Street and turn to the right is Carlisle parade.

I believe you can just make out a name above the door which does not look like Foorde - anyway, the tram dates the picture to after 1903

Hope that helps

Chris in 1066

[Chris in 1066Land]

Larry

Guess what - I have just found an advert in one of the old directories from James Foord.

Will try to scan it and attach it to this message

Chris in 1066

[UncleLarry]

First.....talk about above and beyond the call of duty! I am extremely grateful, and frankly just super excited to get the postcard. Thank you very very much. As to the address change, that solidifies my specualtion, and the card and your comments help me finalize some data. I do have a website for him with a lot of detail and am going to include the photograph (I assume copyright issues have long since expired); this will appear in a few weeks and will post a notice here. If bychance the postcard and advert (it does not appear in the post?) is larger than the attachment here in the forum, could you email them to me at: (e-mail removed to prevent spamming - please send by private message - Global Moderator)

Second...the 1881 entry for Sydney Allen is a bit of a mystery since (to the best of my knowledge the store was active until at least 1888. James died in 1883, and the store continued to by run by his wife and/or son James B Foord. I must do some more digging.
Again my deepest thanks.........Larry

[UncleLarry]

Chris......ooops, the advert scan did come through. I think perhaps since it was a .tif it didn't reproduce in the post, however I was able to click on it and download it. And it is so cool, I am going to include it in the website also. Gosh, life can be so exciting some days!
Thanks again (and again).........Larry

[Chris in 1066Land]

Larry

Glad to be of help to you in your research.

Hey, isnt it great, you can now say on your website that he was watchmaker to the Prince of Wales - wow

Am keeping my eyes open for more info or pictures for you

Chris in 1066

[Chris in 1066Land]

Larry

Hi Again

I notice from the Burial Registers that he died in Dec 1883 and is interred in Section A of the cemetery -do you know if there is a gravestone.

As I live just across the road from the cemetery, it would not be a problem to go and have a look and take a photograph of it if there was.

Chris in 1066