Poole Bakery Business

Date: 29 Dec 2019 [unknown]
Location: Sheffield, Yorkshire, England

The family business, a Bakery and Grocer’s shop, was located initially at 244 Fitzwilliam Street, Sheffield.

Charles and Ellen were living at that address when they were married in 1883. The premises were previously occupied by Edwin Smith, General dealer and Grocer.

Charles Poole is recorded as being a labourer in his son’s (Ernest Pennell) birth certificate of August 1888. However, he was a Baker in the Census of 1891.

The trade directories advertising the business at 244 Fitzwilliam St.

• 1901 White’s Directory of Sheffield Baker and Confectioner.
• 1905 White’s Directory of Sheffield Baker and Confectioner.
• 1910 Bennett’s Directory of Sheffield Baker, Grocer and Tea Dealer, Cooked Hams. *1911 Whites directory advertises a second set of premises at 20 Division Street.
• 1915 Whites/ Kelly's directory Baker.

The trade directories advertising the business at 20 Division Street. 1906 Kelly’s Directory of Sheffield Baker. 1911 Whites directory Baker. 1915 Whites/ Kelly's Poole Charles Richard Baker. 1924 Whites/ Kelly's Horton William Baker.

The census returns give his occupation as:

• 1891 Baker.
• 1901 Baker & Grocer.
• 1911 Baker & Grocer.

Charles’ Death Certificate of 1915 records him as Baker and Confectioner (master).

The 1901 Census shows that all his children (except Mary Elizabeth) were ‘Assistants in the Business’.

[Barbara Poole - grand-daughter] ‘He was a Tartar’. When he went out his ‘assistants’ would have fun while Beatrice May kept watch. On his return she would rush back telling the others “He’s coming, He’s coming”.

In 1914 the Yorkshire Telegraph and Star reports that he was fined 10/- for ‘not specifying in a notice the time and day of the week on which his assistants were not employed after 1:30 p.m.’.

His sons James and Ernest became partners in the business on or before 4th August 1914, and operated as Poole Bros. Baker and Confectioners. This is documented in the military records of Ernest – the letter confirms the above business addresses.

Charles died in 1915. James William must have continued throughout WW1 as Ernest had been ‘called up’ and was not released until early 1919.

It is not clear whether or how long the business continued, but Charles’ probate record names a manager Nettleship Bingham and his son Ernest Pennell, also a baker. Nettleship Bingham was a Grocery Manager whom Charles may have met at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, John Street.

James William and Ernest Pennell later moved to Cheshire where they had Grocery and Dairy Businesses of their own. Kelly’s Directory of 1925 does not list anything for 244 Fitzwilliam Street, and their previous home at 22 Thornsett Road was then occupied by Lewis Chapman, householder.