Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
Mr Harry Evans – Fruiterer, Poulterer & Grocer Abertillery.
The business began in the mid 1880’s when Mr James Mundy and his wife Martha and family were living at Abertillery. They set up a fishmonger & grocery business at 10 Commercial Street, Abertillery, opposite what would become the Arcade. James and Martha married in 1886 at the Congregational Chapel at Abertillery and they had two children – Masters Archibald Mundy born in 1888 and William Mundy born 1890. Also living at the address was a servant girl by the name of Miss Sarah Ann Jones.
Mr James Mundy.
Mr James Mundy was born in 1865 at Pontypool, he was a fishmonger by trade and later moved to Abertillery. He later became a member of the Abertillery Voluntary Fire Brigade during its inauguration in February 1891.
Mrs Martha Mundy.
Mrs Martha Mundy nee Francis was born in 1867 at Bath, Somerset. On coming to Abertillery, Martha became a member of St Michael’s Church and helped found the St Michael’s Church Mothers Union.
The Divorce of Martha and James Mundy.
In February 1896, Mrs Martha Mundy filed for a divorce from her husband James Mundy and the couple parted. In 1897 Mrs Martha Mundy, now divorced, carried on the business at Commercial Street, Abertillery.
Mr Harry Evans.
Mr Harry Evans was born in 1869 in Monmouthshire, he began trading as a fish hawker at Abertillery in 1895.
Mr Harry Evans Grocer, Fruiterer & Poulterer.
In 1897, after the divorce from her husband, Mrs Martha Mundy met with Mr Harry Evans, formed a relationship and were married in the same year. Mr Harry Evans moved into the shop that his wife Martha occupied, they renamed their shop “Messrs H. Evans – Grocer, Fruiterer & Poulterer”. They had two daughters together – Misses Elizabeth (Cissie) born 1897 and Dorothy (Doris) born 1901.
On the 1901 census Martha and Harry Evans were at Commercial Street, Abertillery, listed as grocers with their children – Misses Elizabeth (Cissie), Dorothy (Doris), and Masters Archibald Mundy and William Mundy (stepsons). Also resident was a servant girl by the name of Miss Mary Evans of Abertillery.
In October 1906 Mr and Mrs Evans’ daughter Dorothy (Doris), sadly passed away at just five years of age.
Address Query.
On the 1891 census, the Mundy’s fishmongers and fruiterer shop was listed as being number 10 Commercial Street, although on later advertisements it was stated as being number 5 and 7 Commercial Street. Either there was a mistake made on the censuses or the early premises along the street may have been renumbered by the council?
Alexandra Buildings Six Bells.
In 1911 Mr Harry Evans also had a shop in the Alexandra Buildings at Six Bells.
The Oldest Established Fish & Fruit Business.
In 1921 Mr Harry Evans’ shop in Commercial Street, Abertillery was advertised as the “Oldest Established Fish & Fruit Business, selling fish, fruit vegetables and flowers” etc (as seen in the advertisement left).
Mr and Mrs T. Hughes.
In June 1921 Harry and Martha’s daughter Elizabeth (Cissie) Evans married Mr Tom Hughes. Mr Hughes was from Cwm Quarry, Pantydwr, Radnorshire.
The Death of Mrs Martha Evans.
In February 1931, after a short illness, Mrs Martha Evans sadly passed away at the age of sixty-four.
In December 1931, just ten months after the death of his wife, Mr Harry Evans was declared bankrupt. The business (as seen below) seems to have been taken over by Mr Evans’ son-in-law Mr Tom Hughes!
Mr T. Hughes.
Messrs T. Hughes, florists, appeared in newspaper advertisements (as seen right) from December 1936. The adverts stated Mr T. Hughes, “The finest selection of choice Cut Flowers and all seasonable Fruits for Christmas”. Formerly H. Evans Commercial Street “Xmas trees, crosses and wreaths” etc etc.
The Death of Mr Harry Evans.
In March 1946 Mr Harry Evans passed away.
Interflora.
In December 1951 advertisements appeared in local newspapers of Interflora the “Flower Relay Service” were operating from Mr Thomas Hughes Florist, at 7 Commercial Street, Abertillery.
The Death of Mr Thomas Hughes.
In July 1967 Mr Thomas Hughes passed away at his residence at Tregeyb, Sofrydd Road, Crumlin, Monmouthshire.
H. M. Liddington.
In the late 1960’s the name of H. M. Liddington appeared on all advertisements along with, and concerning T. Hughes, Florists, Commercial Street, Abertillery.
I. Hughes and H. M. Liddington.
In the early 1980’s, advertisements featuring I. Hughes (H. M. Liddington), appeared in the Gwent Gazette.
The Sale Advertisement of the Florist and Greengrocer Business.
In August 1988 the Gwent Gazette reported on the sale of the florist and greengrocer business at 5 and 7 Commercial Street, Abertillery by Messrs Gregory & Phillips. It was advertised as a remunerative business premises with a garage and living accommodation. (No other reports followed).
(Later information to come).