The Diary of Nathaniel Bryceson Revisited Again

[deb usa]

Continued from: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=622788.0 (Visit this to see the background to this massive topic)

Hi everyone,

For some reason yesterday I decided to reread some of our threads about dear old Nathaniel. I've missed him and our searches 

I found this this morning while trying to find out more on Nat, Ann Fox etc. ...it's quite interesting

In 1851 Nat is living with uncle John and has no occupation listed:
1851 census
9 Richmond Buildings
John Shepard 47 stone sawyer b St Pancras
Nathaniel Bryceson nephew 24 b Marylebone

This directory is from 1851, London
Nathaniel Bryceson, BOOKSELLER, 3 Percy Pas. (Passage?), Fitzroy Square.

Trying to find Percy Passage ...

deb

[deb usa]

Found this snippet:
Head back north, turn right on to Eastcastle Street, walk to the end, then left on to Newman Street. You’re looking for the cobbled Newman Passage on your right. You’ll emerge next to the Newman Arms. This traditional boozer was the model for the ‘prole pub’ in George Orwell’s ‘1984’ – ironic, given the crowds of local advertising execs who now pile in here for the tasty pies upstairs. Look directly back along Percy Passage. It boasts several old-fashioned street lamps – but how many?
Fitzroy Tavern
Duck through Percy Passage. Across the road you’ll find the Fitzroy Tavern. This distinctive Victorian drinking den (now owned by Samuel Smith) was a second home for a plethora of literary and artistic greats: Dylan Thomas, Augustus John, Nina Hamnett, Aleister Crowley and – an artist of a different sort – hangman Albert Pierrepoint. On the pub’s frontage you’ll find a Latin motto. What’s its last word?
Link: http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/treasure-hunt-literary-fitzrovia-2

This link has pictures ..not sure which one is Percy Passage:
http://thecabbiescapital.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/newman-percy-passage/

I think this is it: see the 6th post
http://z1.invisionfree.com/thefall/index.php?showtopic=36071

Do you think our Nat tried his hand at selling books?

deb

[alpinecottage]

Do you think our Nat tried his hand at selling books?

deb

That would have suited him down to the ground!

[deb usa]

Hi Alpine ...nice to see you!!!!!

I was thinking the same thing. There is only that one reference to him in the directories ...maybe he enjoyed reading his books more than selling them. 

deb

[alpinecottage]

Hi DebUSA 

Perhaps he only bought the books he liked then couldn't bear to part with them - wouldn't it be wonderful to have a time machine and go and pay the shop a visit!

[deb usa]

It would be fantastic to go back in time!

I wonder if the old fashioned street lamps, from the previous link, were there when Nat was.

"Look directly back along Percy Passage. It boasts several old-fashioned street lamps"

[alpinecottage]

I noticed the worn flagstones - I bet Nat's own boots walked over them.

[deb usa]

Oh My ...I just went on Google maps and it's there. Find Rathbone Street, Fitzroy Sqaure, then Newman Arms  ...directly opposite Newman Arms is Percy Passage.

Very old wrought iron lamps attached to the brick walls of the passage. Looking at the map it's close to Stephen Street where Ann Fox used to live.

[Ruskie]

I'm so pleased you revived this thread Deb!!!! 

I am also amazed that you found mention of Nat as a bookseller in 1851! That is wonderful. I love the way you think outside of the square - I would never have thought to look up Nat in directories as we thought he was always employed by others. Great stuff!

You description of the location of Percy Passage threw me for a minute. I think it was the mention of Fitzroy Square which is up near the Marylebone Road. (I searched for that rather than Rathbone Street on google maps  ).

Found it in the end though. Surprisingly close to Stephen Street. 

If there are several of us who want to revisit this, what do you all think about starting another thread? (rather than tagging it onto the end of this one?) I'm not sure what more there is to find, but new records are coming online all the time ... got to keep hoping.