FOWLER, Watford, mid 19th century
June 2001
Karren Saunders (KarrenSanders @t aol.com) asked the ENG-HERTFORDSHIRE-L list:
> I have a copy of the 1851 census for 59 High Street, Watford, but
> cannot read the name. It was a baker and Confection shop.
> John ? Head 63 Born Worcestershire
> Elizabeth Wife 64 Yorkshire
> Ann Lovet Servant 30 House Servant born
Watford
> Thomas HORWOOD Errand Boy 14 Watford
> I would appreciate if someone could let me know what the
surname
> is, and anything thing about the business.
The "59" is almost certainly not a street number but merely indicates the 59th house on the census enumerators list so to identify the property you need to look at neighbours - particularly public houses which tended to keep their name - and work it out from there on the ground.
There were rather a lot of John's in Watford High Street - but the most likely in the 1850 Post Office Directory is
Fowler John, bread & biscuit maker, High Street
He is also listed in the 1839 Pigot's Directory under Bakers as:
Fowler John (biscuit), Watford
but he is not listed in the 1823 Pigot's Directory
Karren Saunders (KarrenSanders @t aol.com) replied: Thanks so much for that information. It is the right one, Fowler, looking at it again I can now see it.
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