A Photograph Album of Shops, Businesses & Trade

Prior to 1837 the economy of Martham was largely based on agriculture. At that time the population was just over 1,000. Of these people:

  • About 38% were 14 or under and most of those were of school age.
  • About 29% were 15 or over and had no employment. Many of these would have been housewives looking after home and family.
  • About 33% were working.
  • Of those that were working 45% worked on the land whilst 55% had a range of other jobs.

The Victorian age saw a boom in the economy nationwide and Martham was no different. A new class of workers and tradesmen were emerging that were often self employed and provided services like plumbing, painting, carpentry and building.

By 1891 the population, according to the census, had increased by 18% to 1,182. Of these people:

  • About 34% were 14 or under and two-thirds of those were of school age.
  • About 29% were 15 or over and had no employment. Many of these would have been housewives looking after home and family.
  • About 37% were working.
  • Of those that were working 39% worked on the land whilst 61% had a range of other jobs.

So, during these 50 years there was a reduction in those working on the land as labourers or famers and a commensurate increase in those working in other employment. In this photograph album I have tried to connect properties, people and work with each other so that as far as possible the variety of shops, businesses and trades are connected with the premises people lived in and/or worked from.

You can click on any of the images below to zoom in on them and then scroll through using the left and right arrows.

Brooklyn House, The Green. This grand house was once the home of Baptist Minister Rev, Charles Stovell who also ran a private boys school here in 1881.
Selwyn House, The Green. Agnes, the wife of Richard Rogers, ran a refreshment (tea) room here in 1891.
Harriss' Yard, White Street. Walter Harriss was a master wheelwright and builder here c1939
The Gables, Hemsby Road. Edward Arthur Dyball was a miller and merchant and lived here in 1929.
Hill House was the former name of 148/150 Repps Road and was one of several built in the village by master builder Walter Mays.
Zig Zag Toy Shop, Repps Road. Traded from 1988 to 2000 and was run by Jenny Forder. by Jenny Forder.
Mollies Sweet Shop, Black Street was everyone's favourite. 1970's.
Windmill House, 56 Repps Road. Repps Road smock mill once stood to the rear of this house.
A cart made by Walter Harriss for a market gardener. The large wheels made it easy to be pulled by a small horse.
Lowns Coal Yard, Hall Road.
James David Lown started the family coal merchants here in about 1890 in Black Street where they also traded as pork butchers.
Lown's coal merchants closed in around 2004 but before that operated here at a yard in Hall Road.
Harry Cobb, Harness maker, in his workshop at The Boot Store, The Green, c1921. In the background can be seen the Ace Stores owned by Mr Francis
Boat Yard shop next to the River Thurne at the north end of Cess Road.
The first JCB digger bought by H. M. Harriss Ltd in 1964
Loading fruit at the railway station.
This cottage at Damgate was the home of Robert Littleboy in 1842 who was a farmer and yeoman. Later is was the home of Billy Tungate, who was a master thatcher.
17 The Green (right) had a small grocers in the front room in 1841 run by half brothers Thomas & Isaac William Manship.
This little cottage stood where Ross Villas are now on The Green. In 1880 the jay family lived there and were saddlers.
United bus served Martham. Note the wooden wheels.
Walter Hubbard, millwright, in his workshop at Point House East End of The Green.
Walter Hubbard working on the Co-op bread van c1940.
Sidney Gaze, dairy farmer, had a milk round c1939. Black Street.
Mr Kirby building a boat outside Fairview, Black Street. c1900.

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