Yesterday I went to Hertford to look at 33 Fore Street, which is indeed the tanning shop on the corner of Market Street and Fore Street. While I was there I had the inspirational idea of going into Hertford Museum and asking if they had any information about when it was the premises of George Savage, Basket Maker, in 1881.
It turned out to be a very good idea because the staff in there were very helpful and looked at their records which showed that the original No.33 was right next to the Corn Exchange where Market Street now is. It was pulled down in 1887 after being sold to ‘The Corporation’ by it’s owner (Henry Rayment, who also owned the large building opposite), presumably to make way for Market Street?
They didn’t have any photographs of it in their collection but later I was browsing in the bookshop in Railway Street and found a book with two photograph’s of George Savage’s shop front in it! It confirms that the demolished shop was completely identical in syle to the rest of them in that parade that are still standing – right down to the little attic room window at the top of the house which was probably the servants quarters and where Gt Grandma Ann would have slept!
It was an amazing find and a very worthwhile trip. Thank you to all those of you who gave me advice and assisted me in my searching.
I, and others, have looked for the marriage of Ann and Gt Grandfather Benjamin Freeman and none has been found. It’s my guess that they never actually married and just lived as husband and wife.
Best wishes
Lyndsey
