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.
Albert Terrace, London Road
Albert Terrace, London Road as it is today
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.