Whilst growing up in Whitby, The area towards the end of Henrietta Street was always know to us as The Haggerlythe. It was my mother, Evelynne Gildroy who made most reference to it as Haggerlyth and said that in her childhood that is what the area was known as to them.
In some of my recent posts to Social Media, I used the name Haggerlyth, and was astounded that not many people actually knew where I meant. It had always been a term used in the family, yet some, not all, Whitby people didn’t know where I was talking about.
This lead me to research the name, and upon speaking to my mother she gave me some books on local history. From reading around the subject it appears that Henrietta Street was so named in 1761 in honour of the second wife of Nathaniel Cholmley, lord Of the Manor. Records show that prior to this date, the street had been known as Haggerlyth, or Hagglythe which is derived from the terms “Hagg” meaning rough ground, and “Lythe”meaning sloping meadowlands.
There is no suggestion in any extant literature that the two names Haggerlyth and Henrietta street existed together at the same time. It would seem that 1761 was the date of name change.
A Focus On Whitby Jet
In the books that I have read on the subject it would seem the Henrietta Street was well known for its connection with The Jet Industry throughout the 19th century. The 1851 Census of Whitby showing many major names connected to the industry living and often operating a business from the street. It is also documented that no few than three pubs existed on there street, and served the people who lived there. The three public houses being named : The Steam Packet, The Wellington, and The Prince Of Wales
Persons Conducting Trade On Henrietta Street In Whitby
- Alison Thomas – Jet Ornament Manufacturer 1855-667
- John Dixon – Jet Ornament Manufacturer – 1890
- Michael Elder – Jet Ornament Manufacturer – 1890
- William Fortune – Salt Fish Dealers & Fish Curers 1872
- William Fortune – Coal Dealer 1834
- F.W. George – Beer Retailer
- Joseph Harforth – Marine Stores Dealer
- Francis Harland – Soda Water Manufacturer and Tobacco Pipe Maker 1867 -1869
- William Hawkswell – Shopkeeper 1855
- Heming Wm H – Photographer 1889-1899
- Hunter E – Boot Maker  – 1899
- John Judge – pipe Maker  1867
- Ralph Kilvington – Grocer And Provident merchant
- John Knaggs – Jet Ornament Manufacturer 1890
- George William Locker – Jet Ornament Manufacturer 1890
- James Lorrains –Â Jet Ornament Manufacturer 1890
- William Lund – Jet Ornament Manufacturer 1890
- William Morrison – Fish Curer 1890
- Robert Noble – Jet Ornament Manufacturer 1890
- Stephen Palmer – Jet Ornament Manufacturer 1890
- George Patterson – Fish Curer 1887
- John Peacock – Jet Ornament Manufacturer
- Jane Sanderson – Grocer 1867
- John Smith – Fish Curer And Dealer 1890
- David Storey – Shopkeeper 1855
- Chris Sunley – Jet Ornament Manufacturer
Fortunes Kipper House
Today there are no signs of the many local businesses that once filled this street, the only surviving business, other than Holiday cottages, being Fortunes Kipper Smoke House.
Now run by brothers Derek and Barry Brown, the business first opened its doors in 1872 when William (Billy) Fortune opened his now famous smokehouse in Whitby. The business has been passed through the family with Barry and Derek being the fith generation to run the business.
Your pictures are amazing…You capture the reality and truth in your photos… Beauty divine!
I love the humanity that you bring to your photos Glenn.
They aren’t just beautiful pictures, they are a window into the heart and soul of the community, and people of Whitby.
Simply Devine.
Thanks Guys. its always nice to get some feed back on these blog posts as you can often think your writing and no-one is taking any notice. Its great to hera people appreciate them.