How to find a Temperance Working Men’s Dining Room in Forres in 1880s?

[hanes teulu]

The "Public Supply Stores" opened Feb 1888 at 235 High Street, Forres.

[Calleva]

I found this George Smith on the 1891 Scotland Census -

George Smith age 40 born Inverallan, Inverness- shire. Others on the census are his wife Elsie age 31
son Alexander age 2 and son John C age 11 months.

George's occupation is given as Dining Room Keeper and the address is 1 Cumming Street, Forres.

Hope this helps and it is your GG Father,

Dorrie

Thank you very much Dorrie. Yes that is him, it was kind of you to find him in the 1891 Census as presumably you’ve used up some credits on SP.

I’ll now respond separately to the other people who have been good enough to help, very much appreciated.

Stuart

[Calleva]

Here is a view of Cumming Street on the 1895 reprint of the 1876 25 inch map. Looking at Cumming Street now on Street View –and assuming the numbering hasn't changed– number 1 is on the SW side of the street and is the first house after the house on the corner of High Street and Cumming Street i.e. the first house on that side fully on Cumming Street.

https://maps.nls.uk/view/74478415#zoom=6.4&lat=2826&lon=13440&layers=BT

Thank you so much for providing the map, no 1 Cumming Street in Forres still exists. Also the other information you found is terrific.

By a very nice co-incidence I am writing this reply on a bus going to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary having been dropped off this morning by my wife at the bus stop in Forres opposite 1 Cumming Street!

(warranted true!)

[Calleva]

The "Public Supply Stores" opened Feb 1888 at 235 High Street, Forres.

Thank you very much for the information gleaned from various publications, it helps to bring things to life! By another nice coincidence I will be walking this afternoon through Duthie Park in Aberdeen from the ARI to the Clan Cancer centre. I know from previous visits there is a temperance fountain in the park which I now realise is contemporary with my GGF’s involvement with a Temperance Dining Room.

https://canmore.org.uk/site/169185/aberdeen-duthie-park-temperance-drinking-fountain

I remember being amused at the inscription ‘wine is a mocker’ on the fountain but no doubt this quote from a Biblical Proverb was powerful at the time for those who’d signed the pledge!

All the best
Stuart

[hanes teulu]

There was a Temperance Hotel in Forres - William Naughty's - seen here on this '68 Town Plan. William is there on the '71 and '81 Census, 225 High St. In '61 he was on North St.

https://maps.nls.uk/view/74415813

Re.temperance, my abiding memory is arriving late in Birmingham, well after closing time, but taking comfort in that the Hotel would come to the rescue. It was Temperance - never forgave my colleague who had done the booking.