Shopping - October-December 1871

Unlike today, shopping at this time was an intimate experience, probably undertaken daily in small, specialised shops with counter service. Buyers visited individual merchants for specific needs such as the greengrocer, draper, butcher and baker, and food stuffs like butter, flour and sugar were not prepackaged but sold by weight and wrapped by hand. Liquids such as milk and vinegar would have been poured from the merchant’s churn into the customer’s container or jug. Meat was frequently bought as there was no modern cooling. The customer may have settled their bills weekly or monthly when wages were paid. Everyday garments may have been bought and altered by local dressmakers and tailors rather than being bought fully finished, with older garments taken apart and repurposed.

The proprietress of Bideford Gazette, Eliza Honey, ‘begs to call attention’ to her stock of General Stationery, and the printing services.  

Shopping adverts from companies that are still existing today – Lea & Perrins, and Crosse & Blackwell.

Maybe your shopping included buying passage from the United Kingdom to New York or Canada, organised by George Pollard or Mr H Lee Hutchings?

Or a fire insurance policy from Mr Yelland and Mr Smale who are based in Bath House, Strand, Bideford?

Thomas Goaman, Grocer and Provision Dealer is on the move.

The trade of grain is quiet due to the mild weather and English wheat supplies are limited.

Leaving summer behind, you can buy autumn and winter fashions from Braund and Son in the High-street.

Or you could visit W L Vellacott & Co at their Show Rooms, or buy footwear at Ivey’s Warehouse ...

Alternatively, Mrs Dymond (late Turner) is purchasing ‘ladies’ gentlemen’s and children’s wardrobes’ for ready money.

Another seasonal purchase can be made from W & J Abbott, ironmongers.

Reported in December 1871 “James Shaxton, a labourer of Northam, was summoned for using a gun without having a licence to do so. It having been proved that he entered Mr Pynsent’s brake to shoot rabbits, it was stated that he had laboured under the impression that a man named Squire had taken out a licence for him, but evidence was given to prove that no licence had been issued in the name of Shaxton. He was fined £3 including costs. Mr Smale appeared for the defendant.”

H Tardrew, General & Furnishing Ironmonger, in the High Street, Bideford.

You can buy a cooking stove from John Williams in the High Street …

Maybe perusing an auction room was more your thing? Visit James Martin …

A new rate of reduced postage.

Elizabeth Ford, a farmer’s wife, is taken to court.

‘Fair Play’ of Bideford is concerned about the catering of public dinners.

Christmas is coming and W B Pridham, Wm Lee, E Honey, offer their wares

Reported on 28 December 1871 “The Bideford Christmas Market was held on Thursday, when, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the show of meat, poultry, and general provisions was fully equal to that of previous years, the supply being large and the quality excellent. Our local butchers and neighbouring farmers, having faith in the disposition of the inhabitants to be true to the traditions of old Christmas, did their best to meet the demands of the season and to attract customers, and we very much question whether in any other town of an equal size there was a more profuse or primer show to be met with. Our neighbours, Mr R E Holman and Mr T Holman, of Allhalland-street, had as usual the finest display in the meat market. Here the stalls generally were much admired, while in the pannier market the poultry, owing to the size and appearance of most of the geese, turkeys, and fowls, attracted considerable attention, as did the game, of which however, there was only a limited supply. It is unnecessary to say that for all kinds of meat and poultry there was a large demand. In the town the grocers were well provided with fruits and spices and other Christmas requisites, and the drapers, whose windows were tastefully decorated, were provided with every article of dress that could be desired for the festive season. Among the stock exhibited on the butchers’ stalls and in the poultry market were the following:”

You may have chosen to go further afield to shop and the London & South Western Railway timetable shows the frequency of trains from Bideford. 

Postal arrangements …

You could have been shopping for a property to rent? Ridgeway Place, Orchard Hill, Northam; Butt-gardens in Bideford;