Yeovil People
Frederick John Hicks
Jewellers & Watchmakers of Middle Street
Frederick John
Hicks was born
in Yeovil in
1865, the son
and one of the
eight children
of Boot and Shoe
Maker James
Horace Hicks
(1825-1901),
originally from
Weymouth,
Dorset, and
glover Ann née
Salisbury
(b1839). In the
1871 census the
family were
living at
Rustywell.
In the summer of
1874 Ann Hicks
died, aged 57,
and James
apparently (I
could find no
record)
remarried. In
the 1881 census
James, his new
wife Sarah and
their family
were listed at
"Hendford
Station Road"
apparently next
to Rustywell, so
this may have
been the same
residence as in
1871 or even an
alternative name
for Hendford
Hill. 16-year
old Frederick
gave his
occupation as a
Clock & Watch
Maker's
Apprentice.
In June 1889, Frederick opened his own shop at 33 Middle Street.
In 1890, at the
age of 25,
Frederick
married Ellen
Elizabeth Pierce
(b1867),
originally from
Pegham, Sussex.
They were to
have nine
children;
Frederick James
(b1891), Walter
Charles
(1892-1981),
Florence Annie
(b1895),
Elizabeth Mary
(b1897), Arthur
Robert (b1900),
Edward Samuel
(b1902), Minnie
Ellen (b1904),
Lavinia Agnes
(b1906) and
Harold Ernest
(b1908).
In the 1891
census
Frederick, Ellen
and 2-month old
Frederick Jnr
were listed at
33
Middle Street
- noted in the
census as a
Watchmaker's
Shop.
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In the 1891 edition of 'Where to Buy' Fred Hick's business was given the following description -
Mr Fred
J Hicks,
This is a young establishment, having been started only in June 1889, and Mr Hicks has a small but well-selected stock of watches, clocks, jewellery, and optical goods, the quality and price of which will compare favourably with any house in the line. His watches are reliable timekeepers; he gives a written guarantee with each, keeps them in repair for two years, and cleans them once free of charge. He has clocks suitable for drawing room, dining room, bedroom, and kitchen, and undertakes yearly contracts for winding and repairing these useful time measurers. Mr Hicks has a good selection of spectacles, eye glasses, &c, and anyone requiring these useful aids to nature can rely upon being suited at a reasonable price. Repairs of all kinds are undertaken, but his speciality is watch repairing, and although he has only been in business a short time, has already gained a reputation for good workmanship.
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During his career Frederick seems to have had a surprising number of addresses in Middle Street including 11a, 22, 22a, 33, 39 and 53 - the most consistent being 22a (George Axe was actually in No 22 from 1901 until the 1930s) from 1895 until 1935 when the shop was run by Frederick Jnr. I'm guessing that the other addresses are incorrect.
In the 1895 edition of What to Buy, Frederick was listed as "Fred J Hicks, Practical Clock & Watch Maker of 53 Middle Street". Whereas Whitby's Yeovil Almanack Advertiser from 1890 onwards listed him as "Fred J Hicks, Watch & Clock Maker, Jeweller & Optician of 22 Middle Street" (see advertisements below). The Western Gazette Advertiser of 1896 had yet another listing - "Practical Watch Maker & Jeweller of 22 Middle Street".
In the 1901 census Frederick, Ellen and their first four children were listed at 22a Middle Street, next door to confectioner George Axe at No 22. Frederick listed his occupation as "Watch & Clock Repairer (Shopkeeper)".
Whitby's Yeovil Almanack Advertiser of 1903 gave Frederick two listings, both as a Jeweller but with two different addresses - 11a and 22 Middle Street.
In the 1911 census the family were still resident at 22a Middle Street and Frederick gave his occupation as "Jeweller & Optician (Shopkeeper)". In Kelly's Directory of 1919 he was listed as "Frederick John Hicks, Watch & Clock Maker of 39 Middle Street.
Frederick John Hicks died in Yeovil in the summer of 1922, aged 57. Following his death the business was run by his son Frederick James who was listed at the family home in Kelly's Directory of 1935 "Frederick James Hicks, Watch & Clock Maker of 22a Middle Street".
gallery
Fred J Hicks' advertisement placed in the 1890 edition of Whitby's Yeovil Almanack Advertiser.
.... and a variation from the 1891 edition of Whitby's, repeated with further variations in 1892.
Courtesy of Jack
Sweet
George Axe and his daughter Lily standing by their shop at 22 Middle Street in 1907. At right is 22a Middle Street (shown enlarged below) - the home and shop premises of Frederick Hicks.
Courtesy of Jack
Sweet
Frederick Hicks' home and shop premises, 22a Middle Street, enlarged from the previous photograph, and clearly showing the watches and jewellery in the window.
