James Mansell, Fruiterer, Seedsman and Florist, of 16 Swan Street

An invoice from James Mansell to Mr Christy of Castle Gardens. The invoice is on a tall rectangle of paper. The top is printed with decorative script, including a line drawing of fruit bowl. The bowl is over flowing with fruit, including a pineapple, grapes, pears and what looks like oranges. The items sold are handwritten and shows quantities too. Vegetables sold includes four pounds of stewing peas and broccoli several times. | Warwickshire County Record Office reference CR1887_Box 917

Invoice from James Mansell for fruit and vegetables

Warwickshire County Record Office reference CR1887_Box 917

A small newspaper advert placed by James Mansell to inform his customers he is now able to supply them with a general assortment of window and bedding plants. The advert lists his places of business as 16 Swan Street and Market Hall, Warwick. | Warwick Advertiser 21st May 1881

A newspaper advert for James Mansell advertising his stock of bedding plants.

Warwick Advertiser 21st May 1881

James Mansell inherited his business from his father and mother in 1862. He supplied fruit, seeds, plants and vegetables to the people of Warwick and to Warwick Castle. James sold what he grew at nursery gardens, on land just outside Warwick town, along with other produce.

A newspaper advert as shown on this page describes James as a ‘Fruiterer, Seedsman and Florist’. The advert announces James has just received a large assortment of foreign bulbs from Holland, France and Italy. He invites people to come and buy them soon.

A range of fruit and vegetables

Records show the range of fruit and vegetables James grew and sold to Warwick Castle: cauliflowers, red cabbage, cooking apples, turnips and parsley. The fruit and vegetables would have been for everyone living and working there, including the servants. One order included 4lbs of peas and 5 cauliflowers. I don’t think the Earl and Countess of Warwick could have eaten all of these on their own.

James and his wife Emma lived at 16 Swan Street for 43 years, with their four children. They also owned one of the private gardens on Linen Street, now known as Hill Close Gardens. For a family living above their shop, the garden would have been a place of escape.

A warden of the Thomas Oken Charity

James was a warden of the Thomas Oken charity. The charity had been established by the will of Thomas Oken over 400 years before. It provided alms houses for people living in Warwick on reduced incomes. Those living in the alms houses were allowed to live rent free, or to only pay a small amount.

The alms houses created by the charity are still occupied today. They are looked after by the trustees of the Thomas Oken and Nicholas Eyffler Charity. As a warden, James may have been responsible for the upkeep of the alms houses.

This article is part of the Through the Shop Window trail showcasing the links between Warwick businesses and Warwick Castle in the 1800s. Supported by The Friends of Warwickshire County Record Office, The Steven Wallsgrove Legacy and Warwick Town Council.

Locations

Warwick (1931)