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Who had a business at 21 Claverton Street, London, in 1884?
explanation:
This is an enquiry arising from a letter I have acquired, written from 21 Claverton Street on 18 September 1884, without trade letterhead and signed J.H.Parker. The tone is obsequious, and refers to "customers". Other evidence is that 21 Claverton Street was a lodging house for students in 1881 (I have a copy of the Census form) but no JH Parker is listed.
There was a pamphlet by Professor Harley Parker about how to deal with falling or greying hair, in its 64th edition in 1903 and endorsed published by the author at 117 St George's Road, SW (late of 21 Claverton Street). The earliest edition of the pamphlet I can find listed is 1886 (on Amazon, unavailable...) Probably in 1893, there was an E.Scott & Co at 21 Claverton Street, but the information on the internet is scanned and erratic.
i think it is pure coincidence that a real and eminent medical Professor William K. Parker lived across the road at No 36 Claverton St in the 1881 census and the 1871 Census (misread initial K as H) and in Tatchbrook Street in 1861 (how many Parkers will have been born in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, Northants in 1824?) where it is revealed his middle name is Kitchen. He was in Tatchbrook Street in the 1851 Census as well (transcribed as William R Parker). He had a number of children, none apparently J.H., but many with exotic middle names (Newton, Prendergast).
Turning to the address on the pamphlet in 1903 (117 St George's Road, SW) I have no idea if a J, or JH, Palmer lived there in 1903, as it's a very common name and I have failed to seach St George's Road..
So I come back to my title question: can someone with access to a Trade or Street directory tell me if there was a beauty parlour, bookshop, or other trade at 21 Claverton Street, London, in 1884?
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Nothing for 1884 but this is from the Electoral Roll for 1885:
Name:John Harley Parker
Year:1885
County or Borough:St George Hanover Square
Ward or Division/Constituency:St George Hanover Square
Street address:21 Claverton street
The only other info on the image is that it was tenement.
He is at the same address until at least 1899, although in 1895/6 the name is shown as John Harley Addison.
The building is shown as a dwelling house.
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I have just been looking at the 1884 directory and the only businesses in Claverton Street are the professor mentioned above, at No 36 and a builder at No 60.
No John Harley Parker anywhere.
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(below comes up, Newspapers, quite a few, also 1885)
Chris :)
10 October 1884 - Morning Post - London, London, England
THE HUMAN HAIR. Why it Falls Off or Turns Grey and the Remedy. By JOHN HARLEY PARKER Published by J. H. Parker, 21, Claverton-street
Westminster Rate Books (Find My Past)
Parker John Harley 1898 Westminster Rate Books 1634-1900 London, England
(21, Claverton Street)
(1900, 117, St. George's Road, St. George Hanover Square)
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Thank you all (apologies for my typo of Palmer instead of Parker).
So we definitely place John Harley Parker in a tenement building at 21 Claverton Street from 1885, and in 1898 and 1899, except for the years 1895/6 he used another surname - Addison isn't very like Parker! And he hasn't gone very far by 1900.
Was there a business E Scott & Co at 21 Claverton Street in 1893?
I rather think Parker is a speculative self-publisher of this pamphlet. Judging by the length of time he kept it on the market, I wonder if he was a seller of potions as well.
His letter is written in a strong educated hand. I suppose he might have had a consultant practice from rented rooms - Sherlock Holmes did! I shan't worry about it any further.
Thanks again.
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31 August 1893 - Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Sheffield, South Yorkshire
THE HUMAN HAIR. Why it Falls Off or Turns Grey, and the Remedy, Professor HARLEY PARKER. Published by N. Scott and Co., 21, Claverton street, London, S.W. "Everybody should read little book."
http://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/cdm/landingpage/collection/p16445coll4
(Historical Directories)
(probably also on above, somewhere, try 21 claverton, Advanced Search)
Chris :)
04 September 1893 - The Scotsman - Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
H A I R Why it falls Off or Turns Grey , and THE REMEDY By Professor HARLEY PARKER . Published by M . MILLS & Co . 21 Claverton St-. London . S . W
(probably more!, you can get a subscription on below, if you don't use Find My Past, or Genes Records)
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
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Thanks again.
I can't think why I didn't find it before, but the 1891 Census has John H Parker as Head at 21 Claverton Street, Married, aged 51, "Specialist for treatment of the Human Hair", where born "N.K.".
I really doubt the "Professor". Possibly the publishers E Scott & Co and M Mills and Co, both at 21 Claverton Street in 1893, are accommodation addresses for people sending postage for the pamphlet.
Thanks again
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