Originally only 20 metres or so from the old medieval quay the pair of houses known as 36 and 37 Church Street sit 60 metres down the road today.

The pair were originally one timber-framed house built in the 16th century fronting onto Church Street. In common with other houses in Harwich this close to the water the premises could have actually been commercial or had a combined commercial and residential use.

In the 17th century the frontage range was extended to the rear with a high quality timber-framed extension. This incorporated three roof gables which were customary for high status residences in Harwich at the time but these were also jettied to the rear implying that the extended property was also showing off towards West Street.

In the 18th century the house had a major Georgian upgrade as at 34 and 35 Church Street and the brick facade could have been by the same builder. Like 34 and 35 there was no roof raise or provision of attic rooms at 36 and 37 but high quality internal wood panelling and fixtures show the upgrade was not a superficial, me-too makeover.

At some point in the late 18th or early 19th century the property was divided into two and further subdivisions allowed for multiple families per house – typical of crowded conditions in Victorian Harwich.

We have no candidates for the 16th century build, 17th century extension or 18th century upgrade but we eventually locate the property in records thanks to the 1850s numbering of houses in Church Street.

In 1861 we find Joseph Samuel, his wife Elizabeth and their six children living at 36. There are two families living at 37, George and Mary Ann Middleton and their four children and William and Mary Ann King and their two children. All the men were mariners in the merchant service.

In 1871 we still find that 36 is one house whilst 37 is divided into two. 36 is occupied by John and Mary Whitmore and their eight children whilst 37 has Isaac and Mary Cartlidge, their two children and domestic servant and William and Louisa Clark and their two children.

In 1881 we find things less crowded with Sarah Howard and her two children at 36 and Thomas and Agnes Sinclair, their four children and general servant living at 37.

In August 1881 we find an advert in the East Anglian Daily Times for a sale at 37 Church Street of the “nearly new household furniture of Mr. Sinclair who is leaving the town”. Thomas Sinclair was a master mariner from Scotland and his wife Agnes was from Liverpool so they were clearly used to moving around. The list of house contents provides an interesting inventory of the contents of a typical Victorian family home:

Iron French, brass-mounted Arabian and half-tester bedsteads, palliasses, wool mattresses, featherbeds and bedding, mahogany and painted chests drawers, marble-top, birch and mahogany washstands, dressing tables, dressing glasses, Brussels and Kidderminster carpets, hearth rug. mahogany and horse-hair spring-seated rate (6 chairs, 2 easy chairs, and conch), loo, Pembroke, flap, and other tables, chimney glasses. Cottage Pianoforte Coventry, chiffionier. handsome Bohemian ornaments, engravings and prints, plated set of 6-hole cruets, forks and spoons, and the kitchen and culinary articles.

In 1891 there is once again one family in 36 and one family in 37. At 36 we find Samuel and Ann Pitt, their nine children and a visitor, Thomas Meckiff. Samuel is a boilermaker and his son Alexandra is a boilermaker’s boy. 37 is occupied by George and Eleanor Ellis, their two children and two lodgers.

In 1901 36 has a single resident, Ralph Scott, who is a marine engineer. 37, however, has Amy Slater with her four children and two older step children. Also in two rooms at 37 William and Kate Plummer are living.

In the Evening Star of Wednesday 5th August 1908 we find: Benjamin Harris, of 36, Church Street, Harwich, was summoned for exposing certain articles for sale in the Corporation pleasure grounds Dovercourt July 30th, contrary to the bye-laws. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was fined 1s., with costs 5s., or seven days.

In 1911 we find Ben and Eliza Carpenter and their four children living in the main part of 36 whilst Theodore and Mary Mills live with their daughter Dorothy in one room. 37 is also divided into two but more equally, with James and Ada Claxton and their four children in four rooms and Ada Warner and her six children in another four rooms.

The building at 37 Church Street was surveyed and interpreted as part of the Harwich Architectural Survey Project which was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Note that 36 was not directly surveyed by the project but conclusions about the two buildings have been made with reference to the joint listing.

An interpretation of 37 Church Street by Brenda and Elphin Watkin is available for download here.