Bluetown high street c1850.
What is lacking in early directorys of Bluetown High St is any indication of whereabouts the premises were. The following is a continuation of the interview in my last posting and starts at the Eastern (moat end) of the High St. Numbers are those in use from 1880, and are my addition.
"And i marvelled at him as, with no aid to memory, he sat, propped up by his pillows, his well-loved dog looking up into his face, and his sociable cat purring her very best purr, he particularised for me with scarcely a pause all the business premises of the main streets of Blue Town sixty years ago.
Mr Sole, gardener.
knewstubb, stationer, bookseller, post-master and printer.
head, butcher.
8 The Duke of Clarence.
9 Greathand, tailor.
10 Fife, chemist.
11- 5 dwelling houses. 1864 map shows only 4
15 Phoebe Jacobs, general shopkeeper. listed as selling toys in later directory, still standing.
16 Jacobs, clothier, father of the previous shopkeeper.
17 Duke of Marlborough, kept by Thomas Allen. The Grapes 1864-1909.
18 The white Horse, kept by mr Scott. The Star Inn in 1864.
Blanand, china dealer.
various occupiers, general shop.
Opening to Drummonds Alley comes here.
Wright (schoolmaster at British school)
general shopkeeper. Hearts of Oak in 1909.
Pratten, coach owner.
23 Druids Arms, kept by Mr Bullard.
24 Shrubsole, grocer.
25 Jackson, baker.
26 Clarke, ironmonger and tool seller.
# 26 is the site of the first non-conformist Church to be established in Sheerness. This was the Congregational
Church founded by William Shrubsole in 1762. Worshippers referred to the building as "The Meeting Place". It
was here that John Wesley preached in december 1769 and oct 1771. The building was burnt down in 1909.
27 Savery, bootmaker.
28 Jacobs, fruiterer.
29 old general shop, kept at one time by Paul Touchney.
30 Filmer, butcher.
31 Watson, hat maker, (all hats were made to measure in those days.)
32 Collier, general shopkeeper.
Jarret, general shopkeeper.
35 The Shamrock, kept by an irishman (of course!.) the Beehive from 1864.
36 Johnson, grocer.
37 Holmes, grocer.
38 beerhouse. the Archor and Hope from 1864. Army and Navy in 1909
Barnard, jeweller.
Ambrose, ironmonger.
42 J Beal, clothier, The Market or emporium. (built 1837, now the Albion Bar.
Mr Beal was clearly prone to extravagation.
http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3969.0)
43 Abraham, clothier.
44 Palmer, baker and confectioner.
45 Abraham, pawnbroker, (a very private side entrance was attached to the pawn department of this building.
46 Morgan, bootmaker.
47 Wicking, eating house keeper.
48 Baker, draper.
49 Thos Filmer, butcher". At some time during the 1920's, early 30's this was a doss house, cheap lodgeings, ropes would be strung across the room at shoulder height, and the dossers would sleep standing up, their arms hooked over the ropes.
Chapel street comes here.
 
"Aaron Brown, fruiter.
French, candlemaker.
Gorham, general shopkeeper.
Levy, furniture dealer.
Taylor, butcher.
Coates, hairdresser.
Harlow, general shopkeeper.
Goodchild, greengrocer.
Temple, general shopkeeper. (afterwards a schoolmaster.)
61 the Red Lion.
general shop kept by various occupiers.
A clothiers.
A general shopkeepers.
Dr Walkers house and surgery.
The Swan kept by Mr Ward.
A general shop.
Two dwelling houses.
A general shop.
Clayton, a painter.
The George. (this house was rather notorious for the quarrels perpetrated by its patrons.)
The towns rubbish yard was just around the corner here. (The Police court stands on the ground now.)
West Street, Bluetown.
1 An general shop.
2 The Lord Nelson.
3 A general shop.
4 The Ship Inn, this house was famous for its reading room at the right-hand side of its entrance. In this room one gentleman usually read from the various
newspapers which arrived by boat late in the afternoon, while the others listened. The room was exclusively used by tradesmen.
5 Kings Head, A well appointed house kept by Mr Coodys.
A general shop.
Jennings,
a fishmonger famous for his shrimps.
Goldup, a greengrocer.
Lister, bootmaker.
Baker, shoemaker.
Chas Palmer, baker.
15 Fountain Hotel.
West Lane comes here.
16 The Jolly Sailors, kept by Mr Shrubsall.
A general shop.
Hy Jacobs, silversmith and clothier.
20 Crown and Archor, kept by mr Strood.
Pallard, coal merchant.
The White or Wesleyan chapel.
And Mr Edgecomb kept a shipping agents business at the end of the high street.