Castle Cary Post Office, banks and other services
Banks and Post Offices
The East Somerset Savings Bank, established in 1818, had its main office at Castle Cary[1] but declined and eventually closed in 1889 because of competition from the Post Office Savings Bank, established in 1861.[2]
By 1839 a branch of Stuckey’s Bank, probably in Woodcock Street, was managed by Thomas Matthews. It closed before 1852[3] but reopened before 1856 and later moved into the building in High Street, largely rebuilt in 1891, which still bears its name. In 1866 the manager was Frederick Bull and managers were still resident in 1901.[4] In 1910 it became part of Parr’s Bank[5] and was in 2001 a branch of the National Westminster Bank. A branch of the Wiltshire and Dorset bank was open between 1886 and 1892.[6] By 1931 there was a branch of Barclay’s Bank.[7]
In 1828 the Castle Cary receiving office was converted into a sub post office.[8] By 1842 it had moved from Woodcock Street to High Street, following the transportation of James Edwards, postmaster, for theft,[9] and by 1850 was in Fore Street.[10] In 1871 it was in an ironmonger’s shop in High Street and employed a telegraphist,[11] messenger, two letter carriers, and postboy, and provided banking facilities for 92 customers.[12] In 1882 it moved into its present premises, an 18th –century house on Bailey Hill, with two resident clerks in 1891. The proprietor was also an estate agent, auctioneer, bailiff and the 1891 census enumerator. His daughter was a telegraphist.[13]
Other services
In 1839 there were four solicitors and two surgeons.[14] In 1841 there were also a hairdresser and three nurses.[15]There were two printers at work in the mid 19th century but only one by the end of the century.[16] Printing has continued in the parish. In 1871 Castle Cary had a photographer, a French polisher, three chimney sweeps, and 15 laundresses.[17] A piano repairer was recorded in 1872.[18]
By 1891 there were seven cabinet makers, two polishers, and a wood carver.[19] The principal cabinet making firm was Charles Pither and Sons which began at Bailey Hill in 1877 with a workshop and later a glass and china shop. John Pither invented a method of locking sets of drawers simultaneously. By 1907 the business had moved to a large site opposite the market place including shops and workshops for cabinet making and upholstery. They offered a complete home furnishing and removals business with their own covered waggons. By 1914 they had two shops and a showroom and by 1947 employed c. 40 people.[20] There were branches at Crewkerne, Wells, and Yeovil. In 1951 the premises were put up for sale including the Emporium with two floors of showrooms, upholstery workshop, mattress repair shop, and storerooms. Thereafter the business was based at Crewkerne.[21]
In 1947 there were seven hairdressers, six car repairers and several other business and professional services.[22] By 1973 there were 22 services including banks, hotels, hairdressers, an estate agent, and a garage.[23]
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Mary SirautPage 1Somerset Reference
[1] SRO, Q/RSb 5. The Castle Cary Bank which issued notes was fraudulent: Castle Cary Visitor May 1896; March 1906.
[2] Smith & Co. Dir. Som. (1865—6); Castle Cary Visitor July, Aug. 1908.
[3] Robson’s Dir. Som. (1839); Bragg, Dir. Som. (1840); Pigott & Co. Dir. Som. (1842); Hunt, Dir. Som. (1850); Castle Cary Visitor Aug. 1904.
[4] TNA, RG 13/2303.
[5] Castle Cary Visitor Jan. 1910; Smith & Co. Dir. Som. (1865—6).
[6] Castle Cary Visitor May 1896, Sep. 1900; Som. Co. Herald Dec. 1897; SRO, D/R/winc 14/2/14.
[7] Kelly’s Dir. Som. (1931).
[8] Welch, M.O. (ed.),The postal history of Somerset 1792-1837: the Freeling reports (1998), p. 275.
[9] Bragg, Dir. Som. (1840); Pigott & Co. Dir. Som. (1842); Castle Cary Visitor July 1896, Oct. 1911.
[10] Hunt, Dir. Som. (1850).
[11] Telegraph opened in 1870: Castle Cary Visitor Oct. 1911.
[12] TNA, RG 10/2422; Castle Cary Visitor July 1896.
[13] Castle Cary Visitor Sep. 1900; TNA, RG 12/1901.
[14] Robson’s Dir. Som. (1839).
[15] TNA, HO 107/937.
[16] SRO, D/P/cas 4/1/4; Castle Cary Visitor Aug. 1901.
[17] TNA, RG 10/2422; Castle Cary Visitor April 1902.
[18] Morris & Co. Dir. Som. (1872).
[19] TNA, RG 9/1646; RG 12/1901.
[20] Kelly’s Dir. Som. (1906); SRO, D/N/smc 4/3/63; Castle Cary Visitor April 1912.
[21] SRO, DD/X/WI 22—3; S. Miller & B. Laver (ed.), Castle Cary, North Cadbury, and Wincanton, 122.
[22] SRO, A/AGH 1/63.
[23] Ibid. C/ENPR 14/3.