John Hudson Wellden

189 Middle Street

Occupation: Pawnbroker & Clothier

John and his brother William took over their father’s pawnbrokers business and set up as Pawnbrokers and Clothiers in their own right, at 189 Middle Street, trading under the name of Messrs. W and J H Wellden. 

E C Pain in Reminiscences of Old Deal tells us that these premises were formerly the old Customs House and that the Welldens’ took it over when the Customs House moved to Lower Street in 1814. The premises can be seen marked in red on the map below.

189 Middle Street marked in red. (After street renumbering, in the 1890s, 40 -42 Middle Street).

They dissolved their partnership “ by mutual consent” on the 16 March 1860. John continued to run the business on his own until his death in 1862, aged just 34, leaving Elizabeth Ann, his wife, to care for their three young children. He left around £5,000 most of which would have been used to provide for the care and education of his children as in July 1869 their mother, Elizabeth Ann also died.

Sophia and Elizabeth continue to live at 189 Middle street, their Aunt, Lucy Broad, moves in to care them until Sophia married in 1877 and moves to Battersea with her new husband.  Elizabeth, who remains a spinster, moves with them.

Charles Broad Wellden in 1871 is boarding at a school at 2 Albert Terrace. This is the same building, though a different school as the daughters of his uncle George Wellden and so his cousins, Christiana and Mary Ann,  had once attended. By 1891 Charles is also a Tailor & Outfitter, living and working at 184 High Street the business address of his uncle Thomas.

The business at this stage was being run managed by  Sylvester Henry Eastes with the assistance of  George Noble. By 1881 Sylvester has moved into the premises and continues to manage the business for the Wellden family.

Thanet Advertiser – Saturday 30 January 1875

By 1934, probably after Charles Broad’s death, the business in Middle Street was being run under the name of ‘Gray & Weston’. Sadly the premises itself no longer exists as it was lost to the bombing in WW2.

Name Born Baptised Married Died Buried
John Hudson Wellden Abt. 1829 Unknown Elizabeth Ann Broad
1852
DoverBorn 20 July 1827
Baptised 27 May 1834
Zion Chapel, Last Lane, Dover.
Died 1907 ??
Dover
14 June 1862

Deal

The Children of John Hudson Wellden & Elizabeth Ann Broad

Name Born Baptised Married Died Buried
Sophia Broad 21 August 1857 Unknown Joseph A Thompson
1877
Deal
1947
Uckfield, Sussex
Charles Broad 3 March 1859 Unknown Annie M Boyce
Portsea, Hampshire
1934
Deal
Elizabeth Broad 1861 Unknown Unmarried 1914
Wandsworth

Census

Year Address Name Relationship Occupation
1841 Middle Street George Wellden Head Pawnbroker
Christiana Wife
Christiana Daughter
William Son
John Son
Mary Clarke
Ann Smith Female Servant

Census

Year Address Name Relationship Occupation
1851 189 Middle Street William Head Pawnbroker & Clothier
John Brother Partner
George Evans Apprentice
Mary W Thompson Servant Housekeeper

Census

Year Address Name Relationship Occupation
1861 189 Middle Street John Hudson Head Clothier & Pawnbroker
Elizabeth A Wife
Sophia Daughter
Charles B Son
Francis T Matson Shop Man Assistant
William Clark Shop Boy
Louisa Coral Servant House Servant
Charlotte Hobday Servant Nurse & Maid

Trade and Street Directory

Directory and Year Trade or Occupation Address
Melvilles 1857 Silversmith & Clothier Middle Street
Sources and Further Reading:
Reminiscences of Old Deal by E C Pain
Kelly’s Directory 1934
Newspaper image © The British Library Board. All rights reserved.
With thanks to The British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)