What was happening in Hollyhurst Road in 1891?

[chanel]

Hello Everybody,

The 1891 Census found one of my ancestors at "Vauxhall Street, Manchester" - he was a "General Warehouseman" at that time.

There is a present-day "Vauxhall Street", a short street apparently unoccupied and unused, that comes off Collyhurst Road in an area to the north of Manchester CBD. This seems to be a large, open area typical of a former heavy industrial site such as cotton mill, paper mill, heavy engineering. I notice a waterway nearby, also.

I wonder if anyone has any knowledge of the history of activity in this area. There are certainly no houses in or close to Vauxhall Street now, I don't think, but that doesn't necessarily mean there weren't any back in 1890. Would appreciate any bits of information.

Chanel.

[ShaunJ]

Tabberner Thomas & Co Ltd had a factory there.

This snippet is from an 1898 directory http://www.rootschat.com/links/0lnp/

[ShaunJ]

There was also the Ebenezer Works - a tarpaulin factory - that is listed in the 1891 census at the end of Vauxhall Street. This belonged to John Blackwell & Co.

[ShaunJ]

I don't see a "general warehouseman" in the census for Vauxhall Street, Collyhurst Road ( I am looking at RG12/3249 folios 41 and 42 pages 6 and 7) - what was your man's name?

There's a James Duff in Upper Vauxhall Street, a jobbing warehouseman... is that him? (RG12/3249 folio 71 page 13)

[chanel]

Sorry everyone - I've stuffed-up the date for this one - it should be 1881, not 1891.
The job description is "Home Trade Warehouseman"- his name is Edward T Mammatt.

Chanel

[ShaunJ]

If you look at the occupations of the other people listed in the 1881 census pages for Vauxhall Street it will give you a good idea of the kind of neighbourhood it was. There are warehousemen, foundry workers, mill workers, leather workers, oil sheet workers, dressmakers and embroiderers, a smith, a butcher, a baker, a gas mantle maker. 

[Barbara.H]

On the Godfrey map of NE Manchester, 1891, it shows the Ebenezer works taking up about half the south side of Vauxhall St. The north side follows the edge of the 'Old Quarry' which extends quite a way up Collyhurst Road. I presume this is one of the quarries where Collyhurst Sandstone came from?
There is also a rope walk along the north side. To the west is Collyhurst Road and the River Irk, and beyond that a large railway carriage shed. A footbridge crossing the river and railway leads to an old clay pit.
The Vauxhall Iron works are to the east of Vauxhall St, but a few streets away, the other side of Rochdale Road. Nearest church is St Catherines C.E. St Patricks on Livesey St is the nearest RC church.

  Barbara

[chanel]

Thank you both for this great information.
Shaun, you make a good point.
Barbara, all this from a map?!!

Just one more thing, please. Do you think I can assume that this Vauxhall Street is the one referred to in the 1881 Census record for Edward T Mammatt -  if so, then that back in those days, Vauxhall Street must have had houses in it? Not a terribly nice place to live!!

Chanel.

[Barbara.H]

Link to Godfrey Maps website and shop

http://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/lancs10407.htm

Cannot praise these maps too highly! Massively good value at only £2.50 each and very reasonable postage

It does seem to correspond with your Edward Mammettt's address - probably the best thing to say about it is there would be plenty of employment opportunities, but it would be a heavily industrial environment

  Barbara