No.53 King Street. The earliest surviving document is :‑ AN INDENTURE made on the twenty eighth of August 1716, in the third year of the reign of George, King of Great Britain France and Ireland, between Sarah Jeffreys, spinster and only heir of John Jeffreys, carpenter, late son of the late John Jeffreys, carpenter also of the same house. Also, Thomas Wenman, gentleman of Great Yarmouth, and Jacob Master, Hosier. The property was sold to Thomas Wenman, and Jacob Master, for the sum of five shillings,* all the messuages, tenements yards, gardens,and grounds and hereditaments in the occupation of John Dawson mariner for the said Sarah Jeffreys, Thomas Balls, ropemaker, Abigail Shinkin, widow, Thomas Pearce, yeoman, Disalia Mawer, cobbler, and Robert Spelman, Merchant. Between the common row or lane on the north, and the yards and grounds late of John Dowe , mariner, on the south. Which abut on King Street on the west, and the wast (waste) grounds of the Mayor, Aldermen, Burgesses and commonality of the Borough of Great Yarmouth. To have and to hold the said messuages....... during the term of one year, paying at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, the rent of one peppercorn, (if the same shall be demanded.) Sarah Jeffreys signed her initials, and the document was witnessed by John Willrork and John Colby.

* I couldn't believe this figure, but it is correct. This document shows that the area east of King Street was not at that time built upon. Charles palmer says that No 51 King Street was first built in 1678 by Thomas Robins ,merchant, upon a site granted from the town waste, and was rebuilt in 1772 as a new built messuage. A receipt is shown for the solicitors account to Robert Cory . Doc.1 In 1724, an indenture between Bartholomew Bradley, Mary his wife,and Elizabeth Bradley, widow, assigned the tenement, yard and land for twenty one pounds, in the time of the mayorality of John Pearson. This was signed by John Pearson, and Mary Bradley, whereas Bartholomew Bradley was only able to mark an X. The lease of the same time describes Bradley as a mariner, and the property as a dwellinghouse and yard. A bargain of sale was made in January 1727 between the same parties and witnessed by Sam Artis, Mayor, for twenty pounds.

Sam Artis' house is on Corbridge's Map. In 1769, an indenture,between Thomas Ellys and his wife Sarah, named in map. the last will and testament of Sarah Everard, deceased, and Joseph Hornsby, mariner. On the twenty first of March, the messuages tenements, yards, gardens, grounds and hereditaments, were sold to Joseph Hornsby. One was empty or untenented, and two were in the possession of Smith, mariner, and Thomas Allen, mariner. The ground was between the row, and the yard and ground late of John Dowe mariner and now of William Davy,gentleman. Witnessed by Robt. Woolmer and Robt Cory; rent, one peppercorn. The separate indenture of sale of the same year states that Sarah Everard had willed the property to her cousins the Ellys's on 8th.June 1723. For one hundred and fourty pounds, this was sold to Hornsby. In 1776 a lease was granted by Thomas Ellys, only son and heir of William Ellys, patternmaker, and Sarah his wife for the sum of five shillings for a lease for one year. The house was now described as being previously in the occupation of Samuel Smith, and now having the house and grounds of Alice Stubbs widow on the south, and abutting on the new built dwellinghouse and ground of Henry Audley on the east. The document was signed by Thomas Ellys and Sarah Ellys, and witnessed by William Taylor and Thomas Herbert. On 27th February 1776, the property was conveyed from Thomas and Sarah subject to the term of five hundred years for the payment of 60 pounds and interest to the same James Sayers . Clearly in those days it was customary James Sayers of to issue a lease at a peppercorn rent concurrent with the conveyance of Hopton and Row 83 the property. On this document William Taylor is mentioned as mayor, and Robert Walpole as recorder. Henry Audley is stated to be a ropemaker. After the term of five hundred years, the property reverts to the heirs of John Spanton. On the 23rd day of March in the 18th day of the reign of George the third in the year 1778, an indenture between Thomas Ellys patternmaker, whose wife died nine months previously, and Joseph Dobson, shipwright and sole executor of the will of the late John Spanton, and John Donnington, beer brewer, Mary his wife, and Thomas Green coalmotor. For the sum of twenty two pounds and the previously paid sixty pounds, absolutely acquit and discharge forever the heirs and assigns of John Donnington. The house and grounds now are described as lying between the common row on the north and the house and ground of Alice Stubbs widow after that of Robert Cory, gentleman, and now of Lindor, mariner, on the south. Abutting on the East the new dwellinghouse of Henry Audley, ropemaker. This deed assigns the right of passage into and out of and from a washhouse situated on the east This passage is still side for washing and rinsing therein , contributing one third part of the present behind 53/54 costs of maintaining and roofing, and free access for having and taking King Street in 1991 water at the common pump standing and being in the said passage, and one fourth part of the cost of maintaining the pump and well, and of putting down a new pump. Also the right of access into the half row for the purpose of carting out dirt and muck from the premises. The document was signature of also signed by Nathaniel Symonds, Mayor. Nathaniel Symonds On the 22nd of September in the twenty second year of the reign of George the third, the year being 1782, a lease for a year was granted by John Donnington and his wife Mary, to Mary Arnold, spinster, for five shillings. The rent of one peppercorn to be paid on the feast of St. Michael the Archangel. The last will and testament of Mary Arnold was written in the year 1782 on 15th.of October. "Being of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding, for which God be praised ".... She appointed her sister Ann Lamb to be sole executrix, the wife of Richard Lamb, mariner and master to sea. Her estate was to be held for her nephews, Richard Lamb and Robert Arnold Lamb until they severally attain the age of twenty one years. The interest and dividends to be applied towards the maintainance of them. In a codicil to the will, she says that in addition to the dwellinghouse in Kings street, she has purchased, from Samuel Gaze, Merchant of the city of Norwich, the messuage tenement or dwellinghouse with yard lying in a certain row in Great Yarmouth known as Lobster Row and occupied by John Sillis, Mariner, also to be left to her nephews. Signed in the presence of Lydia Scott, John Watson, and Edmond Tolver. Dated 23rd of September 1872,was a release and conveyance of the dwellinghouse (53 King street) from the Donningtons to Mary Arnold and her Heirs for one hundred and thirty pounds. The house and ground of Henry Linden, mariner, was on the south, and that of Henry Audley, ropemaker on the east. The same third share in the washhouse existed along with the one fourth share of the well and pump. Written in the time of the Mayorality of John Reynolds, and the recordership of Robert Walpole. Signed by John Donnington, Mary Donnington (x) and John Reynolds. Dated 17th day of May, 1799, between Richard Lamb, sailmaker of Deptford in the county of Kent, Robert Arnold Lamb, carpenter of Gt. Yarmouth, James Southgate of Gt.Yarmouth, victualler, and his wife Ann, an indenture was made, selling the dwelling in Kings street for one hundred and fourty pounds. Richard Lamb was now married to Matilda. All signed, Southgate with an x. The names of these previous owners are of great interest, and of course their trades. The date of death of Mary Arnold is not mentioned, except that probate was granted on 16th of May 1785, fourteen years prior to the sale. The name of Southgate seems remarkable, and one wonders if this originated in Yarmouth or elsewhere. The next document was a mortgage, dated 3rd of March 1830. This was between Jenkin Cullen, mariner, of the port of Harwich, and Ann his wife, who was the daughter of Ann Harrer deceased, late the wife of John Harrer of Gt. Yarmouth, mariner, and before that the wife of James Southgate, victualler, whom she survived, and Thomas Leggett of Bermondsey Green, Southwark in the county of Surrey, master mariner. The Harrers were stated to be in occupation, following on from Smith, Ellys, Donnington, and Sayers. The property abbutting on the east, formerly of Audley's then Carver, now Artis. ...In the time of Robert Alderson esq., recorder.

The transfer from Mr. Cullen and his wife was not complete until the 27th. of August 1832, on account of Mrs Cullen not being able to produce her baptismal certificate. It was searched for, but it could not be found, and it was finally agreed to complete the purchase on the approval of an extract from the family bible. Signed Isaac Preston. 27th. August 1832. signature of Isaac Preston

A burial certificate was issued by John Brecks, officating minister, confirming that Daniel Southgate had been buried on Oct 29th. aged 32 years near Southampton ( West Cowes). Another document confirms that James Southgate, batchelor, and Anne Secker spinster, both of the parish of St.George, Tombland, were married there by banns on the third of October 1774, as appears in the marriage register book of that parish. signed Charles Sutton, Minister. James Southgate had been buriedon May1st. 1781. The infant son James of James Southgate and Anne his wife (late Anne Sacker Spinster) was buried July 2nd., 1704. Daniel, son of James and Anne Southgate, was born July 19th., baptised July 30th 1775. James, son of James and Anne Southgate, was born Oct.13th. baptisedOct. 15th.,1780. (He was buried May 1st.1781.) James, son of James and Anne Southgate (third son) was born May13th., baptised May 18th.,1783,( and buried July 2nd., 1784.)

Extracts from the register books of St George Tombland, in the city of Norwich. Charles Sutton, minister. Copied from the tombstone in Gorleston churchyard 14th.August 1832 by Wm.R. Seago_ "Sacred to the memory of James Southgate late of Yarmouth the loving husband of Anne Southgate who (James) departed this life the 11th July 1799 aged 49 years." Anne Southgate the widow, married at Yarmouth church September1809 to John Farrow, and died and was buried at Gt. Yarmouth March 1828.

James Farrow swore an oath that Daniel Southgate the eldest son of James and Anne Southgate, died in the month of October, 1807, a batchelor, and at the time of his own marriage there had only been one child living of James and Anne his wife then living, namely Anne, then and now the wife of Jenkin Cullen of Harwich, mariner. Also, that the said Anne Cullen was born in or about the year 1778. Sworn at Great Yarmouth in the county of Norfolk the first day of August 1832 before George Wells Holt. A master extrordinary at Chancery.

A lease for a year, made on the ninth day of August 1832, between Jenkin Cullen and Anne his Wife, for five shillings, was to Robert Carter of Gt. Yarmouth, Thomas Leggett late of Bermondsey, Richard Carter son of Robert and Martha his wife, and Isaac Preston the younger of Gt.Yarmouth. Signed in the presence of Wm. R. Seago and Geo. Wells Holt. An indenture made the tenth day of august 1832, between Jenkin Cullen Of Harwich, Essex, and Anne his wife; Thomas Leggett, late of Bermondsey, Southwark, Richard Lamb of Gt. Yarmouth and Matilda his wife. Robert Carter of Gt.Yarmouth, and Isaac Preston the Younger.....Grant bargain and promise to thomas Legett for one thousand years the dwellinghouse, subject to a proviso for the interruption, by the said Jenkin Cullen and his wife Ann, for the sum of thirty pounds with interest.Whereas the said Jenkin Cullen and Ann his wife have agreed with Robert Carter to the absolute sale to him, for one hundred and fifty three pounds. Whereas the said principle sum of thirty pounds and no more is owing to Thomas Leggett, by virtue of the said mortgage, all interest having been fully paid. The sum of thirty pounds of money having been paid by Robert Carter to Thomas Leggett, Thomas Leggett doth hereby acknowlege and acquit the said Robert Carter and Jenkin Cullen ...... Thus the dwellinghouse, and rights to the well and passage were conveyed,including the right of "emptying and conveying away the dirt and muck out of the privy belonging to the said hereditaments " Consequently we can determine that a new privy has been built at the rear of the house, which was not there when the previous conveyance occurred in 1799. (the previous mortgage does not describe the property.) The document was signed and witnessed by Isaac Preston. Dated 14th. July 1836, a mortgage by appointment, Robert Carter to Mrs Elizabeth Sherrington. Between Robert Carter Sargeant at ? , of Gt. Yarmouth and Elizabeth Sherrington of Filby,widow. Wheras by indentures of lease and release dated 12th. and 13th. days of January 1832, being made between William Masters John Fountain, William John Hurry, Robert Carter and Isaac Preston the Younger, all that tenement dwelling house numbered "one", yard and washhouse late in the occupation of Joseph Stanford, being between a tenement numbered "12", of the north part and a common lane on the south part, and abutting upon another tenement numbered "2",late in occupation of Thomas Groom, towards the east and an office of fishhouses then late of Thomas Reynolds and then of THomas Lottis upon the West except and always reserved unto the owners of no.2, full and free liberty of taking water from the well, and pump in the washhouses of the tenement, they paying one half of the expense of housing the well and of repairing the same and the pump with the box and leathers thereof, and the box and swarp and the expense of a new pump. On 3RD July 1850, an indenture for the release of a dwellinghouse, between Elizabeth Sherrington Of Filby, widow, Sophia Farrow of Gt.Yarmouth, widow, Samuel Dawson, master mariner, and William Holt, gentleman. The said Robert Carter made defaultof the principle sum and arrears of interest, and the said Elizabeth Sherrington exercised her right , and the messuage or dwellinghouse was offered for public auction at the Star Inn at Gt. Yarmouth on the fourth day of April last, when Samuel Dawson, being the highest bidder, was the purchaser. Being lot 2 in the printed particulars of sale, free from encumbrances (except land tax), for the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds..... Whereas the said Sophia Farrow is siezed to her and her heirs in fee simple a dwelling house in king Street,near to the messuage hereby released, and as appertainant thereto the wash house hereinafter described, subject to the right of the owners and occupiers of the said messuage herein released. Samuel Hurrion Dawson hath contracted with the said Sophia Farrow for the absolute purchase of the said wash house at the sum of ten pounds..... to the use of the said William Holt and his heirs during the natural life of the said Samuel Dawson. Dated 28th.June 1864, release of a dwellinghouse Mr.S. H. Dawson to Mr. Thos.C.Press and wife. Between Samuel Hurrion Dawson , Thomas Crisp Press ship owner, and Jane Bacchus his wife.Agreed for the absolute purchase in fee simple , for the sum of one hundred and fourty five pounds......Signed by Sam H. Dawson, and witnessed by William Holt. Dated 22nd. April 1919, the surviving trustee for sale under the will of Mr. J. C. Press deceased, to Mr. J.R.Delf. Conveyance of a freehold messuage or dwellinghouse and hereditaments situate(d) and known as no.53 King street Great Yarmouth. This indenture between Thomas Samuel Forder of 6 marlborough Square Gt.Yarmouth (the vendor ) and Frederick Riches Delf of 5 St. Johns Terrace Gt. Yarmouth (the purchaser). ...... Whereas Thomas Crisp Press, late of Gt.Yarmouth, shipowner,..........duly made his will dated the seventh day of february one thousand eight hundred and ninety four and thereby after appointing his wife Mary Press, his friend George Thomas Watson and his brother‑in‑law John Harper Smith to be his executors and trustees gave and devised the residue of his real estate unto and during the life of the said Mary Press during her life..... until her decease or marriage again..... and to the use of the said Thomas Watson and John Harper Smith on trust......and whereas the said testator died on the thirteenth day of November one thousand eight hundred and ninety five without having altered or revoked his will..... and whereas the said John Harper Smith died on the 17th. Jan. 1893...Edward Thomas Ayers consented to be trustee in his place.....the said Thomas Ayers died on the 7th. Jan.1912, and Mary Press died on 13th Dec. 1918. The vendor, as surviving trustee agreed to sell the said hereditaments at the price of one hundred and twenty pounds. Dated 24th.January 1930. Mrs.E.L.Delf to Mr.D.L.Rayment. Conveyance of Rayment the Estate No.53King st. Gt.Yarmouth. Between Elizabeth Louttid Delf of East View, Agent was something St.Johns Terrace Gt. Yarmouth, and Dudley Clarence Rayment of no.59 North of a property dealer Quay Gt.Yarmouth, Auctioneer and estate agent.......Whereas Frederick Riches Delf, by his will dated 2nd. September 1921, bequeathed all his real East View is now an estate unto his wife entirely, and appointed his sons, Henry Frederick old peoples residence, Delf and William Riches Delf as his executors. ...Frederick Riches Delf owned by Betty Langstaff died on 16th. Oct1923....The vendor has agreed with the purchaser for the sale of the said property at the price of two hundred and five pounds. Signed by Elizabeth Louttid Delf, and witnessed by H.Fred Delf, Grocer, of "Brightside", Poplar Avenue, Gorleston. Now it seems that Mr.Rayment had an exceptional bargain here and Mrs.Delf was extremely badly done by and presumably very poorly advised by her sons, although we shall see that they had a great deal of property to dispose of.

Mr.Rayment was able to sell the property to Mr R A Potter at the price of five hundred pounds! A conveyance made 29th April between Dudley Clarence Rayment of 59 North Quay, and Royal Archibald Potter of 53 King Street Gt.Yarmouth, Perambulator factory, agreed to the sale for the price of 500 pounds. 59 North Quay, now no longer exists as it is now the site of St.Francis Way. Mr.Potter seems to have over‑reached himself, and business was clearly not good enough, as on 30th April 1930, he took a mortgage with the Abbey Road Building Society, for 633 pounds and 12 shillings, 400 pounds of which was a lump sum, and 233 pounds and 12 shillings was interest, calculatedas a lump sum.

An order for bankruptcy was made on 9th July 1935, in the County Court. Therefore a conveyance was made on 31st October 1935 between Abbey Road Building Society, Charles Bollingbrook Leathes Prior, 3 Cathedral Street, Norwich, on behalf of the official receivers, and William Stockley Howkins, of 10 Theatre Plain, Gt Yarmouth, radio and cycle dealer.

The mortgage was redeemable for the sum of 316 pounds and 7 shillings and 8 pence and no more and eight pence and no more, this is what Mr. Howkins paid to the building society, so he had a considerable bargain, and Mr Potter lost everything. Presumably Mr.Howkins carried on his radio and cycle business here until the war. A land mine was dropped by the Luftwaffe on the night of December 16th 1940, at 3.13 am according to Box, although I cannot be certain that this was the same bomb, and the site left derelict until sold to Dr O'Donnell of 6 Regent Road, Gt.Yarmouth, Medical Practitioner, on 1st March 1954, for 150 pounds.