CHRISTMAS MARKETS NEWTON ABBOT: As if by mutual assent, the whole of the tradesmen, this year have gone in for additional display, and no one can deny that they have admirably succeeded. Throughout the town stocks of all kinds seemed abundant, and great taste was displayed in their arrangement. Not only was this the case with the butchers, grocers, and confectioners, but the drapers seemed to vie with each other to which could produce the greater variety of wares. Toys seem be a new innovation in their respective establishments, so that a stranger would hardly recognize a legitimate Noah’s Ark or “Dustpan” from a London or Manchester warehouse by merely looking in at the windows; in fact, some of them aspire to be the “People’s Provider” on a small scale. The butchers had extraordinarily large supplies of very prime carcasses, some of them having been purchased at the recent Fat Stock Show at Exeter and reflected the greatest credit on their breeders and feeders. Mrs. Lavis, in Highweek Street, made a grand display, the holly decorations being neatly arranged, and the cornice filled in with the seasonable motte, “Christmas greetings to all,” with white plush letters on a red ground, and looked very effective. Among her well-arranged stock was a fine fat ox 10 cwt., that was bred and fed by the Right Hon. Lord Fortescue and won the first prize at the recent Exeter Fat Stock Show. An ox, 9 cwt., bred and fed by Mr. Harvey, of Chagford; a fat heifer, bred and fed by Mr. Greenslade, Barnstaple; a fat heifer, 7 cwt., bred and fed by Mr. Mark Evens, Grattons, Totnes; also a splendid lot of Exmoor and wether mutton and a fine lot of pigs, one them bred and fed by Mr. Dolbear, Newton, and weighing ten score, was specially good. Mr. Robert Lavis, Wolborough Street, had what was evidently the fattest ox shown: It weighed 10 cwt. 2qrs., and was bred and fed by the Right Hon. Lord Fortescue, and took second prize at Exeter; a prime heifer, fed by Mr Wood, Exeter; a very fine lot of Exmoor and South Down mutton; and some very fine pigs, one of them bred and fed by G. Mills Esq., Newton Abbot, and weighing twelve score, received special commendation. At this was also exhibited a remarkably well-fed rabbit. Mr. Rowe, Courtenay Street, exhibited two fine heifers from Exeter Fat Stock Show, a North Devon ox, and a heifer fed by Mr. Dolbear, Newton; choice veal, South Down, Dartmoor and Exmoor wethers, and a lot of excellent porkers fed by Mr. Reed, of Woodland. Mrs. Stranger, Queen Street, made very excellent display of well-fed stock, but not quite so fat as any of the former, an consequently more profitable; it included two prime prize oxen from the Exeter Show, bred and fed by J. Wills, Esq., a prime heifer bred and fed by J. Loram, Esq., an 18 months old heifer bred and fed by Mr. Emmett, some fine hogs bred and fed by Mr. W. Rendell, Netherton, a lot of Exmoor wethers from the Tiverton Fat Cattle Show, and a capital lot of pork. Mr. Taylor, Courtenay Street, Mr. Copp, Queen Street, Mr. Palk, East Street, and Mrs. Hellens, Wolborough Street, although not so elaborate their display, had each of them very good shows of meat. Mr. Heaward and Mr. Hellens excelled in their display of well-fed pigs. The poulterers’ shops, notably those of Mr. Matthews, Mr. Murrin and Miss Wills were literally crowded with poultry and game of all kinds. Among the confectioners, who made a special display of very choice wares in the highest perfection of their art, were Mrs. Russell, in Bank Street, Mrs. Stidworth, and Mrs. Thomas in Courtenay Street. Mrs. Towell and Mrs. Hodge in Courtenay Street; and after feasting one’s eyes on all the delicacies there displayed it was a kind of relief to take a glance at the bottle store of J. B. Pincent, and in imagination sip the “nectar ” to be found in that well arranged establishment. The grocers’ shops generally were very tastefully laid out, the fruits most tempting to look upon. Among the most successful competitors in that line were Commin and Co., Foss., and J. S. Bearne and Son, in Bank Street; Snow and Baker in Wolborough Street, Pascoe and Haydon, East Street; Hartland, Courtenay Street; Nicholson, Gribble, Henwood, and Hellens in Queen Street. The jewellers made an excellent display of chaste and recherche articles for Christmas presents: Mr. Huxtable’s shop in Queen Street, and Mr. Smerdon’s in Wolborough Street being particularly noted for their extant and variety. The ironmongers, toy dealers, and others had also good displays, and nothing was wanted but a continuous rush of customers with well lined pockets, and a free use of the same, to recompense for the outlay to make their Christmas cheerful and happy. On Tuesday night the weather being very fine and bracing a vast concourse of inhabitants turned out to see the sights, and, on the whole, were greatly gratified. Wednesday being the general market it was very largely attended, and the supply most abundant, livestock being the exception; still there was ample even of that to meet all demands and prices were unaltered. Mr. John Tully, of Danbury had a capital show of well-fed beef and mutton that was none in the market, which is no mean compliment where the quality generally was above average. Prices generally were from 7d to 10d per lb. The Pannier Market was well stocked with poultry of all kinds. Geese and turkeys sold on an average at 1s per lb and weighed from 9 to 16 lbs; ducks were 7s to 9s and fowls 5s to 8s couple; butter 1s 8d to 1s 9d per lb, eggs 1s 4d to 1s 6d per dozen. In the Corn Market business was merely nominal. Wheat was quoted at 4s to 4s 3d, malting barley 3s 6d to 3s 9d per bushel, oats 7s to 7s 6d per bag, grinding barley 20s to 21s, maize 25s to 26s per quarter, flour 24s 6d, superfine ditto, 26s 6d per sack; potatoes 6d to 8d per score by the bag. Mistletoe and holly were in abundance.
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Referenced
GRO0518 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1819 – 1901