ROW SEVENTY﷓THREE

In the 18th.century there extended to row 74, a mansion, of which a fine portion still remains. At the south‑east corner of this row take note of the rare window frames, it was here that Samuel Barker as Mayor entertained Lord Nelson on his return from the Nile, and in his letter of thanks, 27th.April 1801, mentions the French calling us a nation of shopkeepers. (see Nelson letter in Tolhouse). Simon Cobb, Mayor, later lived in the same house.*2

From Howard Street to King Street. This row was formerly called the "Boatswain and Call South Row."*1 In 1680 Mrs.Judith Wilde devised a considerable amount of property in this and the adjoining rows to her son in law, Richard Ferrier, who sold some portion of it to John Cotman. For more about the Ferriers see Row 38.

In 1992, there is certainly no sign of the rare window frames noted by Harry Johnson in Sam Barker's house on King Street. The east entrance of the row is blocked by one of the worst designed buildings ever seen in the town. (Adams' clothing store). The row can be accessed from the Victoria arcade, and has a cross‑row halfway along, connecting it with row 70.

At the south‑west corner is Oscar's sweet shop in the arcade. Along the part not built over, coming west from the cross row, are three single story warehouses, an empty site, and then the back of Herring House, with its front in row 70. These are all on the north side, and the south side comprises the backs of the shops in the Victoria Arcade. The north‑east corner of the row, now blocked by Adams', if it were still open would be the former Lions Tea House, which was later Boots the Chemist's shop, and now is occupied on the ground floor by Freeman Hardy and Willis, the upper floors remaining empty.

The Occupants, Row Seventy Three, 1886

( from King Street to Howard Street)

Tunbridge, T., warehouse

Newman, C., bricklayer

Littlewood, Mrs.

Thorpe, Mrs.

Skedge, Mrs.

Funnell, C.

Knights, R., labourer

Eagleton, J., office

Spillings, Mrs.

Bean, Mrs.

Tenbury, Mrs.

Bland, Mrs.

Steward, C,J., bootmaker

Pearson's fish office

Tennant, J., beachman

Carr, Mrs.

The Occupants, Row Seventy Three, 1913

( from 175 King Street to 23 Howard Street)

North side

3. Newman, Charles

3. Weston, James

4. French, George Philip

5. Wenn, Charles

7. Jonas, Robert

8. Powles, Henry

9. Rees, James

Eaves, William John Edward, cabinet maker & french polisher (workshop)

Bowers and Barr Ltd. electric engineers (works)

South side

12. Ward, Miss

15. Kerrison, Mrs.

17. Cott, Charles Edward

The Occupants, Row Seventy Three, 1927

( from 175 King Street to 23 Howard Street) North side:

2. Burman, Richard

3. Bezance, Thomas

4. Reynolds, Thomas William

5. Simmons, James

6. Duffield, Mr

7. Davis, Mrs.

8. Welton, Arthur

The Occupants, Row Seventy Three, 1936

( from 175 King Street to 23 Howard Street)

North side

2. Burman, Richard

4. Alcock, James

5. Simmons, James

7. Reynolds, Thomas William