Portsmouth, Hampshire ~ Photo's

[HeatherLynne]

Sometime when you have a moment (no rush at all but thought I'd ask while this thread had cropped up again), would you have a look for any images of the houses in St George's Square please?

I recently found a couple of fascinating advertisements regarding the auction of my Great x 4 Grandparents' household effects and house in 1821 just before they moved to London.  Now I know this is pre-photography but the house sounds relatively grand and may well have stood for a long while after.  Here's some of the description that might help:

"All that well-built DWELLING HOUSE and PREMISES, situate on the south side and principal part of St George’s-square, being  no. 49, the back fronting into Britain-st. and comprises in the basement two large cellars, and a rain water tank; on the ground floor two parlours, with a hall leading into a large commodious kitchen, and a yard, with a scullery; on the first floor a capital drawing room, two chambers, and large sitting room, with a bow window; and three bed rooms in the attic (the front parlour, drawing room, and front attic, have bow windows), in perfect repair, and replete with fixtures; is well calculated for a large respectable family, or a lodging house.  Also together with a TENEMENT adjoining in Britain-street, in the occupation of Mr. Crips. "

The three bow windows one atop the other might be quite distinctive perhaps?  

The detail in this description and that of the contents is delicious, but an image would be the absolute icing on the cake 

Many thanks for reading
Heather   

[Tiki1962]

Thank you Steve, you are a very generous person. They are magnificent and will add to the colour of my family story!
Thanks again 

[Steve G]

Rachel; I'm absolutely gutted to have to say that I know I haven't   I'd know because I'm intimately familiar with Kingston Crescent. If I could let ye inside my own head? I could give ye a virtual tour of the place!

 Nope. Just tried to pull a crafty there. Checked my pubs. I've got one of the Admirals Head, in KC. But it just has a couple of house fronts dimly showing in the background.

 Come out of Pitcroft Lane though. Turn right. There's a few houses there which probably hadn't been changed since they were built! Amazing looking structures! Weird sort of balcony things on them.

 Across the road was a big, empty house. All the houses were big! Had to have had money to be there, originally.

 Chapmans Laundry, down the east end. Modern Police Station plonked in the middle, on the north side. Laundry's gone now. Luxury hotel or something. For the continental ferry port across the road.

 My god, how that city's changed. Still a shi .....   No. I mustn't start ranting about how I despise the place!  

Anyway, sorry I can't help ye out there. Ye might try Steven Pomeroy though? He has stuff I don't. I Think there might even have been a little book, touching on the area. Don't give up at me. I'm just one source. Keep digging  

[Steve G]

Heather; I've got a period photo of St Georges Square here. Complete with ladies wearing ..... well, I don't know what ye'd call it. Looks pretty Dickensian though.

Unfortunately, the property ye talking of isn't showing in this corner. But, it certainly gives an impression of the grandeur of the place, at that time.

 Here ye go. As it's just a single shot, I'll try to attach it to this. Ye can just copy it off then. If that doesn't work? PM me an addy.

[HeatherLynne]

That's great Steve!  Thank you very much, certainly gives a flavour of the area     Seems our family were quite well to do at that point, where did it all go?! 

Very much appreciate your time finding that (and so quickly!)
Best wishes, Heather

[Old Mother Reilly]

Figured it was a long shot!  Thank you for your help.  I know Kingston was originally a pretty "desirable" place to live - back when it was just developing from a village on the outskirts of the town.  As far as I can see, apart from a couple of properties on the north side, nearly everything that would been built in that era has gone - that's why I'm hoping to find an old photo one day, to get a flavour of something that would have been recognisable to those who lived there in earlier times.

I'll keep looking!

[Steve G]

  Old Mother Reilly; I'm shaking!!! I don't believe it! Never knowing when to give up, myself, I just Had To trawl through my pictures again .....

1908, Kingston Crescent!!!  I don't believe myself how good I am, sometimes!

It's Not an excellent, sharp shot. In fact, it's much better a shot of some wide road which appears to have been snowed on. Houses are just shadows. Though, it does illustrate the trees nicely. Wonder if they're still there?

 Also, I have another shot here. I Think I recognise it as looking down from the North West corner. Ye can just make out " CHA " on the right place on what would be Chapmans laundry. Only, I can't reconcile there being shops on the North West corner. Come to that though; I can't really remember anything about that corner. This shot might have been before my time.

 Fancy taking a look for yeself? PM me an addy. I'll have to send then this evening though as I really Must get out now.

Whoosh!!!



 And; Zip!!! Back in here to edit the above post. Bloody North West corner, I was talking about!

[Old Mother Reilly]

Wow - well done, Steve - thank you very much for having another look!  Have sent you a pm.

Rachel

[janjim]

Steve,
Thanks so much, great to have these photos

jan