The History of Church Street - Chiswick

No.6 Church Street was the former Post Office of the old village of Chiswick, built during the 18th century. It was a vital part of the village community, formerly home to the village baker, the grocer and finally the post office. No.6 Church Street is also believed to have once been the home of philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau on a short visit to England in 1766.

Rousseau lodges at the Post Office

Jean-Jacques Rousseau completed his controversial book Emile in May 1762. The book was banned in both France and Switzerland for its heretical comments relating to the church in France. Rousseau was forced to leave Paris and seek refuge in England and for a short time he lodged at the village grocers and post office, at the time operated by Mr Pulleyn, believed to be today’s No.6 Church Street.

Architecture of No.6 Church Street

Today, No.6 is attached to No.7 Church Street but when it was first built the building was divided into three separate properties. This is clearly seen when looking at the upper floors, which shows three pairs of windows and three central mansard windows; however a former chimney that was located on the edge of No.6 Church Street has been removed. Although close to the former lamb brewery and behind the Griffin (Fullers) brewery it does not appear that these homes were built for the breweries.

The early Post Office on Church Street

The Tithe map of 1847 was the first map of Chiswick to clearly define three separate houses. This was followed by the Ordnance Survey map in 1865 also displaying three separate homes with the additional label of “post office” written above. At some time during the late 19th century the two homes to the north (today’s No.6) were made into one, and by 1891 the Ordnance Survey map shows one larger house, clearly labelled “P.O.” with the smaller house to the south (today’s No.7). It is also believed that it was at this time that the large double fronted window was added.

The 1935 Ordnance Survey map shows dramatic changes to the northern section of Church Street, with buildings that formerly stood to the north and west of the Post Office demolished to make way for the extension of Mawson Lane and Great Chertsey Road – today’s A4 and Burlington Lane.

Early Residents of No.6 Church Street

There are very few occupational records for No.6 Church Street making it quite difficult to track residents before 1840. However it is believed that No.6 Church Street, along with neighbouring No.7, had always operated with a shop on the ground floor and the living accommodation above.

The parish rate books for the 1830s and 40s show that all three original homes were owned by Job and Catherine Ives, who also owned other tenements and small cottages around Church Street. The Middlesex Directory in 1837-1840 lists Job Ives as the post master, as well as the baker, in Church Street, and the 1841 census also lists Job Ives as “baker” aged 40 with wife Catherine, aged 25.

By 1847 the rate books show the homes owned by Catherine Ives, who was living in one of the houses, while the post office was occupied by the new postmaster, David Spence. David Spence was listed in the 1851 census as a “master baker” living in Church Street with his wife Mary and their four daughters, Mary, Sarah, Anne and Georgeanna [sic]. Also listed in the house at this time were three “journeyman bakers”, George Dow, James McPhenan and John Bailey, along with two house servants.

William Spencer – The Grocer

It is only in the 1880s that we get a more definite picture of the people living in No.6 Church Street. The census shows that the shop has changed from a baker to a “grocer and cheesemongers” run by Frank Trotman, aged 29, with his wife Caroline and his cousin, Arthur Bevan working as “grocers assistant”. Also in the house was William Spencer listed as “telegraphist”. The 1888 Directory then reveals that William Spencer followed Trotman as post master and grocer. The 1891 census lists William Spencer, aged 31 with his wife Caroline, aged 39 and three children, William, Elvie and Beatrice. Also in the house was a boarder, William Sheppard, a “grocers assistant” and domestic servant, Mary Wood.

The 1901 census shows the Spencer family still living at No.6 Church Street, with William’s son, now aged 18, working with his father. William Spencer and then his son after him remained at No.6 Church Street as the village grocer and post master until around 1930, when the post office relocated down towards the church and was operated by Mrs Craig. William Spencer continued to run the grocers from No.6 Church Street for a short time, but by 1935-6 it had become a hairdressers run by Albert Swannell.

Hairdressers and the return of the Post Office

Albert Swannell ran his hairdressers from No.6, and then in 1942 Mrs Craig returned the Post Office to No.6A Church Street.

Throughout the late 20th century No.6 Church Street continued to operate as the village post office, as well as a confectioners and tobacconists – a vital part of the old village in Chiswick - especially as it was during this time that the road developments along today’s A4 and the Hogarth roundabout separated Chiswick village from Turnham Green to the north.

(c) Melanie Backe-Hansen - Chesterton Historian

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