====== 5 and 6 Market Street ======

The core of this building has a mid to late 16th century close-studded, timber frame with Colchester style bracing. It was originally of two storeys but there was no jetty to Market Street. There are two equal bays on the ground and first floor and there is some evidence that the building continued along the street to the junction with Kings Head Street or abutted another building.

At some point there was a roof raise which retained both existing gable frames and added attic rooms.

In the 19th century the building had a new brick facade with two shop fronts and the brickwork has subsequently been rendered.

The building was listed Grade II in 1994.

The high ground floor storey, unusual framing and a stone plinth under the frame on the western wall point to some possible commercial use of the building and interaction with the old medieval market space – with this building on the eastern boundary.

===== Occupants =====

When the 1861 census is taken we find 5 and 6 as two combined commercial and residential properties. Sarah Gislingham is head of household at no. 5 and is listed as an eating house keeper. Living with her are her nephew Jacob Goldsby and his wife Susannah who are tailors. There is also Agnes Leggett who is a cook which might suggested that the premises were primarily an eating house. No. 6 is divided into two with James and Elizabeth Norman with one half as a greengrocers and William and Emma Norman with the other as a Pork Butchers.

In 1871 no. 5 is a chemist shop run by Joseph Harding. No. 6 now seems to be divided into 3 with William Smith, wife Charlotte and their two children running a greengrocers, Henry Geater running a tailors and outfitters and Elizabeth Pratchett and her son in residence. The young Mr. Pratchett is listed as a tailor’s assistant so he may have been working for Henry Geater.

In December 1876 we find that George Lawrence has taken over Henry Geater’s business because he places an advert in the East Anglian Daily Times:

GEORGE LAWRENCE (Late H. GEATER) Begs to call the attention of the Inhabitants of Harwich and Neighbourhood to his increased Stock of MEN’S, YOUTHS’, & BOYS’ WINTER CLOTHING, OVERCOATS, PILOT JACKETS, ULSTERS, TROUSERS, VESTS, AND COATS, Ready made and to Order. Hats, Caps, Scarves, Hosiery, Underclothing, &c. Monkey Jackets, Fearnaughts, Pilot Trousers, Oilskins, Sou’Westers, AND EVERY REQUISITE FOR SEAMEN. Note the Address - 5, Market Street, Harwich. 

By 1881 5 Market Street is occupied by Frederick Rose, his wife Emily, their three children and a servant. Frederick is a pork butcher. Living next door at no. 6 we again find William and Charlotte Smith and their, now five, children. William is listed as a market gardener employing three men but it isn’t clear if he is still running the premises as a greengrocers shop.

In 1891 we have William Walsh, his wife Sophia and a domestic servant installed at 5 Market Street  with William listed as a clothier.  At no. 6 we find George and Sydney Smith, who are brothers. George is listed as a gardener but Sydney is a “shopman” which suggests he might still be operating the Smith’s greengrocers business from the premises.
By 1892 we find a reference in the East Anglian Daily Times of a “shoemaker named Edwards” of 6 Market Street being accused of paying insufficient rent for his premises.

On the 1901 and 1911 census returns both 5 and 6 Market Street were unoccupied.


===== Harwich Architectural Survey =====

The building at 5 and 6 Market Street was surveyed and interpreted as part of the Harwich Architectural Survey Project which was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

An interpretation of 5 and 6 Market Street by Brenda and Elphin Watkin is available for {{ :5_6_market_street_building_survey.pdf |download here}}.
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