Catalogue description Records of Toomers of Newbury, ironmongers

Introduction

The Toomer family ran an ironmongery business in Newbury from the 17th century.

The family's most prominent members were Samuel (d.1817), mayor of Newbury in 1767-8 and 1783-4, and his son Joseph (1760-1853), mayor in 1791-2, 1801-2 and 1814-15.

On the death of Nevil Maskelyne Toomer in 1907, the business was continued by his grandson Frederick Arthur Greet (1874-1943), who served as mayor of Newbury 1930-1. He changed the name business to the House of Toomer in 1926.

The shop at 4 Northbrook Street, Newbury, was rebuilt in 1935. It was destroyed by fire in 1961 and rebuilt again. The firm left the old premises in 1984, and moved to 54-56 Bartholomew Street. It was forced to close in 1995 due to a redevelopment of the new site.

The business records shed light on a 19th century ironmongery; products stocked in 1813 included coffin letters, birdcages, bells, pencils and fishing tackle.

Of even greater interest is a census of the inhabitants of Newbury compiled in 1815 by Joseph Toomer.

Presented in December 2002 (acc. 6903).

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