King Street now Watergate Street was an ancient Deptford thoroughfare giving main access to the river. In the 17th and 18th centuries many of those inhabitants connected with its maritime industries, lived here in good houses such as this one No.17.(watercolour illustration by J.R. Llwyd Roberts.)
It is similar to the surviving houses built in Albury Street by Thomas Lucas who also carried out building works in the adjacent Royal Dockyard from 1707. It was originally a part of a nearly continuous terrace of dwelling houses from the High Street (Deptford High St) to the Thames. In the mid 1920's the street had become a slum, and many of the houses had decaded and been demolished. Regeneration and new housing have now replaced those of the old street.
Watergate Steps leading down to the Thames.
Butchers Row at the river end of Watergate Street as it was named in the 1900's. It has now been renamed as Borthwick Street. The dark black gates at the bottom lefthand side is the location and entrance of the Shipwrights Palace. http://shipwrightspalace.blogspot.com/
20 comments:
I visited St Nicholas' last year from Sydney Australia while on a 'find where my ancestors lived' holiday. My g-g-g-grandfather was William MESSER and he lived with his wife, Ann & family on Deptford Green between 1800 and 1814. He was a Carver, Guilder at the Royal Dockyards. Unfortunately he was light-fingered when it came to the copper used there. He twice stole copious pounds of copper from the warehouse; was tried, found guilty & sentenced to transpotation to Australia for 14 years. His wife was Ann BAILEY, the sister of Duncan DUNBAR's ( the shipping magnate) mother Phoebe. It is believed the Dunbar's cared for Ann & her children. It was so special to see the area where The MESSERs lived and the Dunbar Wharf area. I love reading the historic stories about this area. Many thanks - Barbara in Sydney, Australia
Hi Barbara,
Many thanks for the information about your family history. I will be posting some more pictures and information on the area of Deptford Green very soon.
I'm writing a story and my main character lives in Deptford but she doesn't actually have an address yet... I need a street that was around in the 18th Century,and quite close to Deptford market- I was wondering if you could help me out? I've already based a few things in Albury Street so I'm thinking of somewhere different- I was really interested in all the stories on this blog and was looking at all the street names but I'd really appreciate if you could suggest somewhere- Thanks, Celia
Hello Celia,
Thank you for your kind comments on the website. It's great to hear you are writing a story about 18th century Deptford and in particular Albury street. Some street names were different in the 18th century. Albury St was called Union Street up to the late 1890's when it changed. Here are some street names that were about during the 18c but some have also been changed.
Collier St and Wellington St (Flagons Row) were the next streets north and the same side as Union St. They were demolished when Evelyn St and Creek Road were joined up. Heading South you had Hyde Street, still named the same today along with Hamilton St. Mary Anne Gardens and Crossfield Lane are also the same.
Near the Deptford Market were Giffin St, Regent St, Stanhope St, Hales St, Pleasent Row which was a line of houses on the left by Douglas St all now shops. There was also Charles St, Reginal Road and Wilcox Place. I hope this is enough to help you.
Please keep me informed on how your story goes and I will help anyway I can.
Best regards
Andy
Historian.
Thank you so much! I might use Albury Street after all- I never knew it used to be called Union Street- but I've found an old map of Deptford so I might visit the other streets you talked about, should be interesting. Thanks again, Celia
THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SITE
Im looking for any information on czar street, deptford,in 1914 as my grandfather has this street adddress down on his inlistment papers when he went of to the first world war his name was William Nightingale and was a private in the East Surry Regt
Anon, thank you for your kind comment. Czar St, near Sayes Court.
I will try and find some photos.
regards
Andy
I seem to remember some early photographs of Czar Street prior to demolition in the London Metropolitan Archive
The reference is 0.75 I think.
The box contains several early photographs, of Watergate Street, Flagon Row, some show people outside the houses too. If you take your own camera to the archive you can photograph the images yourself. Good luck.
there is also this, though it may be too early
LEASES AND AGREEMENTS TO LEASE: Czar Street (including mortgages) E/EV/008-019 1852-1889
Hi
Was wondering if you had any info or pictures of hyde street around the late 1890 early 1900, only asking because my grandad was born there, so would be very intersting to see, also at the time of my grandad's birth his father was a slaughterman, is this something that would of been popular in that area around those times.
Many Thanks
Hi Anon,
Interesting..My grandad James White lived 24 Hyde Street from approx 1910 onwards and then at 29 Albury St when he married Clara Elizabeth Diggens whos father Alfred George Diggens was a also a slaughterman. They lived at 156 Watergate St, then onto 29 Albury Street where they all lived together. Is there a connection? His surname was White.
Rehsux
Hi I'm interested in Butchers Row Deptford, just found out my Gt grand mother was born there. Her parents were from Ireland, did the area have an Irish community?
I'm Intrested In A Morgage Company On Douglas Street Which Was There In 1858. Can Anyone Help Me With Some Resouces Or Information. Thank You
From Anon
Hi Anon
Do you know the name of the company?
I am interested in the Williams, Underwood and Cole families who lived on Deptford Green and were watermen and sailmakers, dates 1750 - 1800 and addresses, 'opposite the White Hart', also King Street and Cross Street. Any info would be wonderful
Hi RosN
Have you tried this web site link?
http://www.parishregister.com/watermen_and_lightermen.html
I am interested in the history of a building on Deptford High Street. It is 190-196 Deptford High Street, it is about 4 shops up from Manzes. Any information about what the building used to be would be good. Thanks
Hi, my husband's great Grandfather was hit over the head with a bottle in deptford 19/02/1923 - would you have any clue how I could research anywhere to find out more about it?
Walter Clark is the man in question who lived nearby in The Stowage.
Hi There,
I am researching my family Tree and have found that they originate in Deptford Kent. The Family name is Carter and my 2nd Great Grandfather was named James and he was born at 5 Finsbury Street, St Paul,Deptford, Greenwich. Parents Joseph and Ann. He went on to marry Annie M Vincent also from Deptford. I am having great difficulties locating Joseph and family between 1831 and 1851? There are older siblings there born in 5 New Street, St Nicholas, Deptford, but as I said I can find no trace on the 1841 or 1851 Census? Also I am not sure if Joseph was the first Carter to settle in Deptford. Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated. Grant Carter, Sydney Australia.
Gibson House: I am looking for information about why the architecture of Gibson House is like it is. Does anyone know whom I can contact, offline, with information about: original conception, leading figures (builders etc), history of occupation, current owners/managers etc.
Greg
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