Coal merchants

Having recently transcribed the Coventry registration books for narrow boats between 1879 and 1924 they tell us that John Morton registered nine narrow boats to carry coal mainly between Polesworth and Moira. All were pulled by horses. 6 14/1/1879. Florence - John Morton, Coal Merchant, 17 High Street, Coventry 7 14/1/1879. Alfred- John Morton, Coal Merchant, 17 High Street, Coventry 8 11/3/1879. Rosa (changed to The Stormy Petrel in 1894 when sold) - John Morton, Coal Merchant, (William Blower, Coleshill in Jul 1894), (W.H.Green, Atherstone in Dec 1894), 17 High Street, Coventry 9 11/3/1879. Charles - John Morton, Coal Merchant, 17 High Street, Coventry 18 20/5/1879. Percy - John Morton, High Street, Coventry 35 25/2/1879. Alice - John Morton, Coal Merchant, White Street, Coventry 39 11/3/1879. William - John Morton, Coal Merchant, White Street, Coventry 42 11/3/1879. Walter (Lucerne) - James Linden, Coal Merchant (John Morton), East Street, Coventry (High Street, Coventry) 161 12/2/1884. Florence - John Morton, Coal Merchant, White Street, Coventry Post copied from topic Local hauliers (coach, lorry, etc.) on 24th Jun 2015 9:52 pm

Are there any records, pics or any info on a coal merchants yard behind the back of the shops in Far Gosford Street in the late 1800/1900s. Approx where the road runs now. It was my great grandfather's, Charles Woodward.

There's none shown on maps of the period, only a timber yard.

There used to be a coal merchant on the corner of Gosford St and Vecqueray St named Bradnick (I think he may have been called Daniel). I did some family history research in the '80's for someone living some distance away and he had a birth certificate which he had misread because it was not clear, so the name stuck when I found it. I think that he appeared in an edition of Kelly's Directory or White's. I will do some investigating if it would help.

A few bits for you which you may already know : 1911 Census - 20 Stoke Green Charles Woodward head mar 56 Coal Merchant b Coventry Hannah Woodward wife mar 60 b Coventry (married 14 years) 1901 Census - Binley Road Charles Woodward head mar 46 Coal Dealer b Stoke Hannah Woodward wife mar 50 b Radford 1891 Census - Stoke Green John Woodward head wid 60 Coal Dealer & Dairyman b Coventry Charles Woodward son unm 37 Assistant b Stoke Alice Woodward dau unm 31 b Stoke Alick Woodward grandson 9 b Stoke 1881 Census - Lower Stoke John Woodward head wid 50 Coal Dealer b Stoke Charles Woodward son unm 26 Coal Dealer b Stoke Elizabeth Woodward dau unm 23 Dressmaker b Stoke Alice Woodward dau unm 21 House Keeper b Stoke The family were listed in 1871 at Stoke Green and in 1861 at Lower Stoke Entries in Kelly's DIrectories : 1888 John Woodward, 79 Far Gosford Street - resident John Woodward, Stoke - Coal Dealer & Surveyor of Highways John Woodward, Stoke - Coal & Coke Dealer 1912 Charles Woodward, 20 Stoke Green - Coal & Coke Dealer Hope this helps

Hello all, I am attempting to gather some information on the above company, which was active before the last last war and continued into the '60s, I believe. During the war, they helped clearing sites with their lorries, which were clearly identified with the company name. Does anyone have any information or suggestions. Thank you so much. Kind regards Paul

I knew Bill Coates and several of his employees who regularly drank at the Coombe Abbey Inn, Craven Street in the 1960s and 1970s. Bill wasn't exactly famous for overpaying his employees and few of them had anything nice to say about him. The laws of libel prevent me from saying much more.

Hi Dutchman, I know it was Coates who delivered our coke in the 60's. Were they situated on the Coundon Road at that time?

I haven't a clue where they were situated I'm afraid Dreamtime. The lorry used to drop the crew off at the Coombe at lunchtime each day. The crew were covered in so much coal dust that one of them (Ted Merrett) used to entertain the other pub customers with his impression of Al Jolson! (And I'm not exaggerating!)

From the 1959 GPO Telephone Directory : Coates J, & Sons, Coal Mchts 270 Allesley Old rd - Coventry 75138 Coundon whf Coundon rd - Coventry 61576

Thanks for the recollections, folks. Paulg

Hi my mum found this comment last night and we both like to thank Dutchman as Ted Merrett was her father that sadly passed away 10 years ago this January at the age of 83. It brought a happy tear to both our eyes thanks again

Hello & welcome to you themerretts Happy new year to you