SOLVED: Edwin Newcomb, b.1842, Coffee House Keeper, City of London

[dasgoods]

Hello all, my first post.

I'd like to research the following person and to see if there are any records of his Coffee House that existed c.1868-1880.

The Coffee House or an establishment like it resided at 85 Lower Thames Street during this period.
This was also his home address for a number of years.

My 3rd Great-Grandfather was Edwin Newcomb b. Abt 1842, St. Georges, Middlesex.

I am 28 and ever since I was wee-high, my Nan and Grandad have had on display a document that is signed by the Mayor at the time.  I cannot think exactly what is on the document (possibly granting him the right to use the establishment), but more importantly there is a photograph of Edwin Newcomb with his fellow workforce.


My question is

What options are open to me research wise, to ascertain his business history?

• Trade directories?
• Is there an online collection of Trade directories?
• Should I visit an archive in London that deals more in the history of businesses?

The photograph and it's accompanying document has always interested me greatly.
I know his Father is Frederick Newcomb, b.1804, Southwark (I'm not sure if he has any history in owning any businesses)

I am fully subscribed to Ancestry, and FindMyPast.

[Yorkslass]

Hello bolenyboy, and welcome to Rootschat.

I know Ancestry has a number of Directories online, but not sure if they're in the time period you are interested in.

This site - Historical Directories - http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/ has loads of London Directories. 

I've had a quick look, and your Edwin is listed in 1884 at 85 Lower Thames Street, and the establishment is listed as "Dining Rooms".

I'm sure if you were to visit the Guildhall Library in London, they would be able to help you.  I went there years ago looking for a pewterer ancestor, and they were very helpful.

Good luck,
Yorkslass

[jorose]

A good thing to try is searching the London Gazette by address; here's a reference to an "Eating House Keeper" at that address in 1856:
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/21854/pages/824
this man was still at that address in 1864:
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/22841/pages/1929

[dasgoods]

Thankyou jorose but the guy you found was not a Newcombe.  Although it was at 85 Lower Thames Street.

Thanks for trying though   

[jennifer c]

You give the dates 1868-1880, Edwin & family were still there in 1891 census?

Jennifer

[dasgoods]

Thankyou Jennifer

Yes I did give the wrong dates.  It was just a rough date to put the message 'out there'.  He was still at 85 Lower Thames Street in 1891.

By 1901 he was living in Wanstead, Essex

I don't actually know when he died though...

[jennifer c]

Death reg West Ham Sept qtr 1904 age 64  ref. 4a222 Edwin Newcomb.

Jennifer

[jennifer c]

Death reg Poplar Dec qtr 1915  Rosina Newcomb aged 72   ref. 1c.695

She is in Poplar in 1911 census.
Jennifer

[dasgoods]

Thanks for the death info 

What site or archive did you use to find that?

Trawling through Ancestry or FindMyPast, unless I am not using it to it's full potential, revealed nothing.