John Whittle and Son, ironmongers, of Whitehaven

Business records

<p>For other records relating to John Whittle and Son see also DX 320, DBH 25/12/1-4, and DB 41/121-127. and DH 396</p>

Deposited by Mr T Bunting, Hensingham; 20 February 1995 (A.W10)

Salvaged by depositor

Nineteenth century trade directories reveal that John Whittle (1812-1871) was proprietor of a wholesale and retail ironmongers in Whitehaven; an establishment which, in the latter part of that century and the early part of the twentieth, also traded as a nail manufacturers, iron and steel merchants, explosive agents, and furniture dealers. According to Pigot's Directory of 1834, John Whittle had an ironmongers at 9 Market Place in Whitehaven, but by 1847 (Principal Inhabitants of Cumberland) he was based at 57 Roper Street which was to become the main premises of the firm. Kelly's directories of 1939 and 1954 show the firm had an additional premises on Duke Street/Tangier Street which in 1939 was described as a separate household furnishers.

'John Whittle and Son' was established in 1870 when John Whittle went into partnership with one of his sons, Walker. Following the wishes expressed in his father's will, Walker, in turn, went into partnership with his brother Alfred when he reached his majority in 1876, but a release was granted the following year. [D/BH 25/12/1-4]. The firm continued as John Whittle and Son until the second half of the twentieth century when Thomas Graham and Sons of Caldewgate, Carlisle, bought into the firm to form Thomas Graham and Whittle in Whitehaven. The ironmongers remained in business until the end of 1994/early part of 1995 when, as part of a renovation project for Roper Street, it had to leave its premises, deciding in fact to close.