High Street

Salisbury and Winchester Journal : Monday 18 November 1765

Portsmouth. now selling very cheap, and will continue until the 26th of March 1766, part of the libraries of several persons deceased; consisting of above 1500 volumes, most of them in good condition, by Richard Carr, bookseller and stationer, at Milton’s Head, the corner of the Parade, in the High Street.

Hampshire Chronicle : Monday 21 December 1772

Last night the lamps in the High Street, which have been erected by subscription of the inhabitants there, were lighted for the first time ; They give universal satisfaction and are found to be of very great utility.

Hampshire Chronicle : Monday 2 March 1778

Wanted : An Apprentice to a glover and breeches maker.  Enquire of Mr Groves in the High Street, Portsmouth.

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Hampshire Chronicle : Monday 15 October 1781

To be sold by private sale, all that commodious messuage, with a shop, outhouses, workshop and other buildings adjoining thereto, situate in the public market-place in the High Street, and now in the possession of Mr William Bartlett, brasier.

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Hampshire Chronicle : Monday 5 June 1786

To be sold (either together or separate) all that capital messuage, with the garden behind it, situated on the south side, and near the upper end of the High Street, in Portsmouth, lately improved at great expense, and now occupied by Mr Anthony Atcheson.

The messuage, shop, kitchen, stable, and yard, next the above occupied by Mr Peates; and the large yard, coach houses, stables, and very extensive garden adjoining, the last mentioned messuage.

For particulars apply to Messts Bedford & Hancock, Attorneys, Portsmouth Common

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Hampshire Chronicle : Monday 18 June 1787

To be sold, a substantial modern brick built dwelling house, situate in High Street, now in the possession of Mr Lindegren: Consisting of three parlours, and one kitchen; three rooms, and a laundry on the first floor, and two very convenient garrets, with good wine vaults, and a convenient yard behind the same.  Particulars may be had by applying to Mr Lindegren, the occupier; or to Mr Crossfield, No 10, New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London

Salisbury and Winchester Journal : Monday 14 September 1789

An eligible situation for a Cutler, Silversmith or Jeweller.  To be let, at Michaelmas next, a house, desirably situated, next door to the Parade Coffee House in the High Street, with a good established trade in the Cutlery, Jewellery and Hardware business.

The stock to be taken off, consisting of a neat modern assortment of articles in the above way.  The reason of quitting is, the present owner having engaged in an extensive business in London.  For particulars enquire of Mr W Gibbens, High Street.

Hampshire Chronicle : Monday 11 April 1791

Whereas one William Dumont sometimes since left, at the house of Henry Starkey, being the Marquis of Grandby, in the High Street, Portsmouth, in the County of Southampton, a Camera Obscura, and sundry other optical instruments.  This is therefore to give him, the said William Dumont, notice, that if he does not on or before Monday, the 25th day of April, 1791, take away the same, and pay the debt he has incurred, the same will be sold by Mr James Drake, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon of that day, by public auction at the above mentioned house.

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Hampshire Chronicle : Monday 27 May 1793

For private sale, all that capital messuage or dwelling house and appurtenances, pleasantly situated on the north side, and in the most respectable part of the High Street, at Portsmouth, now in the occupation of Sir Andrew Snape Douglass, Knt.  For particulars apply to Mr Richard Parsons, Attorney, Gosport.

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Hampshire Chronicle : Saturday 10 September 1796

A freehold messuage, tenement, or dwelling house, situate on the south side of High Street, and near to the Market House, with a yard, workshops, and storehouses, with other convenient appurtenances, all in good repair, and now in the occupation of Mr William Lang, grocer, tallow-chandler, and soap boiler, as tenant at will.

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Hampshire Chronicle : Monday 13 June 1803

Friday the melancholy accident happened in the High Street ; at a place, a shopman to Mr Hawkins, went to bed intoxicated, and either fell or jumped out of his chamber window. three storeys high, bruised himself very much, and soon after died.  The Coroner's Inquest sat on the body and found a verdict of accidental death

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Hampshire Telegraph : Monday 24 May 1819

Shortly to be sold by auction,by order of the Assignees of Thomas Andrews Minchitt, William Grover Carter, and Arthur Kelly, the truly valuable and extensive freehold banking house and premises of the firm Godwin & Co, situate in the High Street.  Particulars in a future paper.

Hampshire Chronicle : Monday 10 September 1821

The next meeting of the Trustees of the Portsmouth to Petersfield Turnpike Road, resident in Portsmouth and the vicinity, will be on Monday the 10th of September, 1821, at the Guildhall, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon.

J T Shugar, Clerk to the Trustees

Hampshire Chronicle : Monday 15 November 1824

Notice is hereby given - That a general meeting of the Committee of Management of the Portsmouth and Arundel Navigation, will be held at the Company’s office, in the High Street, on Tuesday the 30th of November, 1824, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon

James Fowler : Clerk to the Company

London Courier and Evening Gazette : Friday 15 October 1830

Portsmouth Theatre to be sold by auction, at the Fountain Inn, on Wednesday, 20th October, at seven o’clock in the evening.  This highly desirable and advantageous freehold is admirably situated in the High Street, and is well worth the attention of Capitalists and Managers.  Further particulars may be had of  Mr T Owen, Portsmouth, if by letter, post paid.

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Salisbury and Winchester Journal : Monday 3 November 1834

An Inquest was held on Monday last, by Mr John Howard, acting coroner, on the body of  Mr Henry Hunt, a young man apprenticed to Mr Megginson, a druggist, in the High Street.  From the evidence adduced it appeared, that, a few hours previously, the lad was trying an experiment as to the length of time he could bear to be suspended by the neck, and the result was loss of life by entire accident.  He had tied his handkerchief in a slip-knot, thrown it over the door, and put his head through it; but, from the handkerchief getting jammed between the beam and the door, the knot did not slip, and, therefore, before assistance could arrive, or his cries be heard, he was suffocated.  His mother was the first to discover his situation, and her grief, on giving her evidence, was most poignant.  A verdict of “Accidental Death” was pronounced.

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Salisbury and Winchester Journal : Monday 25 March 1839

Died : On Sunday, aged 71, after an illness of some years, Mr James Goodeve, mercer and tailor, High Street.

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Hampshire Telegraph : Monday 16 March 1840

Died : On the 4th inst. Mr Day, upwards of 40 years, Stage Door Keeper of Portsmouth Theatre, aged 75.

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Hampshire Advertiser : Saturday 25 July 1840

Died, on Saturday last, at Southsea, Mrs Irish, wife of Mr Joseph Irish, formerly watch and clock-maker of the High Street

Hampshire Telegraph : Saturday 1 July 1848

Sarah Cassidy, was charged with being a common prostitute, and behaving in an indecent manner in the High Street, between twelve and one o’clock this morning.  Convicted and adjudged to be imprisoned  and kept to hard labour seven days.

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Hampshire Telegraph : Saturday 22 April 1848

William Cross, driving a cart, and James Furlong Jnr, driving a waggon, were charged under the Portsmouth Act, with having on the11th inst., in the High Street, furiously driven their respective vehicles.  They pleaded not guilty, but the offences were fully proved by two witnesses, and the defendants were convicted, and fined 20s and 9s costs, or 10 days’ imprisonment each.  Major Travis, who witnessed the transaction said it was a most shameful and dangerous proceeding.

Hampshire Telegraph : Saturday 15 July 1848

William Urry was charged with furious riding a horse in the High Street, on the 8th inst., to the danger of passengers.  The offence was fully proved by Captain Sayer and Mr Wright.  The defence was he had to go to the railway terminus and back again in a short time, otherwise should have lost his place.  Convicted and fined 15s and 9s costs, and in default committed for 14 days.

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Hampshire Telegraph : Saturday 21 July 1849

Death - At Southsea on the 21st instant, of apoplexy, Mr John Way, upwards of 40 years butcher in the High Street, aged 69 years.

1851 Census

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Start High Street between No 149 and 1 Lombard Street

George Nichols : Beer Seller , Greenwich Pensioner : 44 yrs

Elizabeth : 43 yrs

George : 12 yrs

William : 9 yrs

Elizabeth : 7 yrs

Charles A : 5 months

Portsmouth Times and Naval gazette : Saturday 21 August 1852

Joanna Head, was charged with stealing 8 yards of window net, the property of Mr Wilmer, Draper, High Street.  The prisoner was observed with the net under her arm going out of the shop last night ; she admitted to the policeman who took her into custody that she had stolen it, saying that she wished to be transported.  Committed for trial at the Sessions.

Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette : Saturday 16 October 1858

Borough of Portsmouth

St Thomas Ward

At a numerous and highly influential Meeting of the Burgesses of this Ward, convened pursuant to a requisition, and held at the Guildhall, High Street, on Tuesday, October 12th, 1858.

David Levy Esq., Alderman in the Chair.  It was proposed by Mr Joseph Galt, and seconded by Mr Councillor Camwell, that Mr R W Ford be recommended to the Burgesses for re-election on the 1st of November next, as a fit and proper person to represent the Ward in the Town Council.  Carried unanimously.

Proposed by Mr R H Elcock, seconded by Mr Kennard Knott, that Mr L A Vandenburgh is a fit and proper person to represent this Ward, and that he be recommended to the Burgesses for re-election.  Carried unanimously.

Proposed by Mr R H Elcock, that the past services of Mr Emanuel Emanuel fully entitle him to the confidence of the Burgesses, and that he be recommended for re-election.  Carried unanimously.

Proposed by Mr Elcock, seconded by Mr Miller, that the foregoing resolutions be advertised in the local newspapers.

David Levy : Alderman for the Ward.

Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette : Saturday 21 July 1860

Jane Pollard was charged with begging in the High Street on the previous day.  Pc No27 proved the case.  Prisoner was discharged on promising to leave the town.

Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette : Saturday 16 November 1867

John Roddy, a miserable looking man, was charged with begging in High Street, at five o’clock on the previous evening.  The defendant, who behaved in a very impudent manner to the persons of whom he begged, was sentenced to five days hard labour.

Hampshire Telegraph : Saturday 29 August 1868

A Batch of Disorderly Prostitutes : Ellen Virie, a prostitute, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in the High Street.  Pc Betteridge was on duty in the High Street, late on the previous evening, and saw the prisoner in company with several soldiers, making use of bad language.  He requested her to go away, and as she would not do so he took her into custody.  The prisoner pleaded guilty to being in the High Street with the soldiers, but denied making use of bad language.  She stated that the policeman would not let her go to the “Bull’s Head” public house, where she wanted to go.  This the officer denied, and siad she did not mention a word about the “Bull’s Head.”  Mr Inspector Hood said that from the many complaints made at the police station of the conduct of the girls of the prisoner’s class, an extra policeman had been placed on duty in the places where they usually congregated.

The Governor of the Gaol, Mr John Astridge, had also very frequently made complaints of a similar nature.  Mr Chambers said that in consequence of what Mr Hood had stated, the magistrates, thinking the case proved, had decided to inflict a somewhat severe sentence, namely, seven days’ imprisonment, with hard labour.  The prisoner, on leaving the dock became very abusive, and expressed a hope that the Magistrate would “stick” there till she came back.  Mr Astridge told her she had better be careful or she would not got off with seven days.  Prisoner,”They can’t give me any more, the sentence is passed.”  The Magistrates thereupon directed the prisoner be again placed in the dock, when Mr Chambers told her that the former sentence was rescinded, and she would be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for fourteen days.

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Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette : Saturday 31 July 1869

George Gazard,a tramp, a young fellow, was charged with stealing a coat, pipe, pocket book and handkerchief, valued together 10s., the property of William Griffin.  The prosecutor is a gas-fitter, and this morning was at work at a house in the High Street, and left his coat in the shop which was unoccupied ; about an hour afterwards he missed it.  PS Porter saw the prisoner in High Street with something under his arm, and followed him into St Mary’s Street, where, in reply to Porter, said it was a coat a young man gave him to sell, but he did not know where the young man was.  He afterwards said,” I stole the coat.  I might as well be locked up, as I’m half starved.”  Prisoner pleaded guilty.  He said he was very hungry, and didn’t know what to do to get something to eat.  He was sentenced to 21 days’ hard labour.

Hampshire Telegraph : Saturday 4 may 1901

Town Mount Bastion was in 1800 part of the Portsmouth Fortifications, and was situated at the northern end of High Street

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Portsmouth Evening News : Tuesday 15 March 1892

Architects and horse keepers call and inspect the Sanitary Mangers erected by the Brooklands Dairy Co, High Street, Portsmouth.

Hampshire Telegraph : Saturday 10 December 1892

Florence Fenton, 38, was charged with begging in High Street on the 8th inst..  Pc Webb proved the case, and the Bench taking into account the fact that she was convicted on a similar charge in November last, sentenced prisoner to seven days’ hard labour.

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10.5 High Street

1871 Census

Agnes Isabel Johnstone : 37 yrs

Charles Frederick Cole : 12 yrs

Richard James: 6 yrs

Annie Crown : General Servant, 17 yrs

1881 Census

Francis Knott : Veterinary Surgeon : 30 yrs

1901 Census

Kate Main : 40 yrs

1911 Census

Christina Bayley : Teacher of Music : 40 yrs