A successful London tobacco/snuff manufacturer info needed!

[VictorianDreamer]

Hi everyone,

I'm after some information for a business in London during 1811 - 1832. I've searched newspapers until I'm blue in the face, but the only references I found was a small ad for an apprentice in 1811 and another advert for Scotch Rapee (sp). The latest reference we have for the business is an 1832 insurance record.
Insurance records:
1817 - 1,000 pounds.
1818 - 1,500 pounds.
1828 - 1,300 pounds.
1832 - 1,200 pounds.
The name of the man who owned the business was James Christie and we assumed the name of the business was Christie's. He was a tobacco/snuff manufacturer. There are two addresses for it on the insurance records, two for 42 Brewer Street and 2 for 43 Brewer Street, Golden Square.
I have hit a brick wall as far as researching the family, but that's not the information I'm after (have some new leads that need to be investigated). I ONLY want information about the actual business. If anyone that lives in the local area could possibly help out or point me in the right direction, I'd be willing to reimburse for any costs incurred of copying documents etc.
The conversion rate for the insurance amounts is actually phenomenal and I find it surprising that there isn't much information for such a successful business (And it doesn't help with Christie's Auction house in every search too!)

Thanks in advance if anyone can assist me with this information.


Victoria

[KGarrad]

Have you seen this?

http://member.melbpc.org.au/~albonser/christies.html

[VictorianDreamer]

Thanks KG,

Yes, they're a relative we've been in contact with, but they don't have any info on the business either.

Victoria

[hugatree]

There's some interesting hisotry about Brewer Street, but I can't identify the buildings:

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41459#s3

[VictorianDreamer]

Hi hugatree,

That's where we found the information about the change of street addresses in the 1820's. Sadly, yes, no photos but the samples through out of other buildings is just gorgeous! And along with the insurance records, we do know that it was a brick, 3 storey, so it would have been a site to see in itself at the time

Victoria

[KGarrad]

The Post Office London Directory of 1841 has this:

Christie, John
Tobacconist
205 Whitechapel Road

Any relation?

[VictorianDreamer]

Hi KG,

James Christie (tobacconist) did have three sons, John (1816), James (1818) and William (1822). John became a Solicitor's Clerk and worked with the Forth & Clyde canal company at it's London offices in Golden Square though. James, convict, and William a Master Baker.

As far as we know that John Christie isn't a relative...but...it's not out of the realms of possibility at all and we are still investigating a pile of Christie's from the areas.

Victoria

[ShaunJ]

He's in the 1814 PO Directory directory which is online http://www.rootschat.com/links/0krc/
( I googled Chriftie Brewer !)

The 1819 PO Directory has Christie J, tobacconist. 42 Brewer Street.

1822 Pigots lists Christie Jas as a tobacconist at 43 Brewer Street.

[VictorianDreamer]

Hi Shaun,

Thanks. We do know he was definitely there and have found as much as we can regarding directories, newpspaper clippings and the insurance records. It's more trying to find information about the actual business itself that we're after, pictures, film, rent/rates, actual business records,  other than the insurance one's etc.

Victoria