The shop in Clifton Street has had many different owners and many different shop fronts. In 1905 when Sarah Jane Wall was the Grocer and Subpostmistress it looked like this.
Swindon streets built in the 19th century grew piecemeal with each terrace built by a different builder. In 1883 E. Harvey was busy constructing eleven houses and a cottage in Clifton Street. James Hinton was also busy in this area of Swindon and in 1884 father and son firm, C. & G. Pettifer built a house and shop in Clifton Street. Could this be the premises the Wall family were living in at the time of the 1891 census?
Across the road once stood the Clifton Street Primitive Methodist Chapel. The original chapel was built in 1882 on land given by James Hinton. A much larger chapel was built in front of this in 1900, which can be seen in this photo. The chapel was still open in 1970 but was demolished soon after. Next to this are the Clifton Street gates to the cemetery.
Published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
John Wall, Grocer and Dairyman moved to Swindon to run the General Shop in Clifton Street with his wife Sarah Jane and four of their six children. He died in 1899 and was buried in the cemetery just across the road from his shop. Sarah Jane carried on running the business with her two sons George and Charles and her daughter Beatrice.
Beatrice died in 1914 and was buried with her father in grave plot E8596. Sarah Jane died in 1935 and was buried with John and Beatrice.
The late Miss Wall – Residents in that district will miss the familiar figure of Miss Wall, of the Clifton Street Post Office, who has passed away after a long and painful illness.
The deceased lady was the daughter of the late Mr John Wall, who came to Swindon 30 years ago, and for a very considerable period she has been prominently identified with the business connected with the oldest sub-office in the town.
The funeral took place on Monday, the service at St. Saviour’s Church and the last rites at the Cemetery being conducted by the Rev. H.C. Brocklehurst.
A large number of friends assembled, and the principal mourners were: Mr and Mrs Loxwell Wall (Exmouth), Mr and Mrs Frank Wall (Swindon), Mr and Mrs Charles Wall (Swindon), Mr and Mrs Arthur Wall (London), Mr George Wall (Swindon), Mr W. Davis (Stonehouse), Mr V. Broadsmith (Cirencester), Miss E.J. Wall (Exmouth), Miss H.G. Wall (Swindon), Nurse Butcher and Mr. E. Higgins (Swindon).
Mrs Wall and family are very grateful for the loving sympathy extended during Miss Wall’s long and painful illness, and the kindness of neighbours is especially recognised.
Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, February 27, 1914.
The Clifton Street shop in 2023
Radnor Street Cemetery 