THIS week Jaqueline Bennett Vining of the Ilminster History Society investigates the history of the iron gates that join the two solicitor buildings along East Street, a feature which I was interested to find out more about.
Jaqueline tells us that these gates were originally made for the Grapes Hotel that stood where Mitchams are today.
Unfortunately, someone has recently painted over the name, so it is no longer quite as visible however Jaqueline was lucky enough to get a picture when the lettering once stood out in gold.
The gates were made by John Smith Snr. of Chard in 1849. He was an iron founder living at The White Hart Inn in Coombe Street and his two sons, John Jnr. & Robert, followed in the trade for a while.
The two boys took over the business and worked under the name J. Smith, Phoenix Iron Works.
It stayed that way until 1871 when John Jnr had moved next door to the White Hart, (now being run by Isaac Winter), and Robert had married a daughter of Henry Keitch, landlord of the Pouletts Arms in High Street.
In 1879 the brothers dissolved their partnership and John Jnr sold off most of his assets in 1880 whilst Robert went on to become first, a coal dealer and then in 1891, a sanitary inspector.
If you are interested in finding out more about the history of East Street, why not come along to our upcoming event ‘An Illustrated Talk on East Street and the Market Square’ by The Ilminster History Society on Thursday, May 4 at 7.30pm at the Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster.
Tickets can be booked at www.ilminsterhistory.co.uk or by calling 01460 54164
Written by the Ilminster History Society
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