Cultural Quarter Quaker Trail
A journey of discovery - Walk in the footsteps of the early Quakers who settled in Waterford.
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1
George Chapman & Co
No 61 The Quay
In 1870, George Chapman (1822-1878) came to Waterford and opened a grocery shop. His sons William and George continued the business, selling quality groceries including tea, coffee, spices and imported dried fish from Newfoundland. The tea was blended in the shop and was very popular locally.
A store and smoke house in O'Connell Street produced smoked bacon and ham for export as far as Cuba and China.
For over 100 years the Chapman family developed a reputation of quality food and friendly service.
2
Bell Family
No 62 & 89 The Quay - 62 is now part of the Granville Hotel
In 1862 Henry Bell (1838 - 1922) opened a druggist, oil & colour merchant business.
Daughter Janie and sons William, Albert, Frederick & Samuel all joined the business as chemists. They expanded & as well as creating their own remedies they imported petrol & also opened a photography studio.
c.1905 they erected a large bell-shaped lamp outside the shop which became a local landmark.
3
Thomas S. Harvey
No 55 The Quay
In 1837, Thomas Smith Harvey (1806 - 1892) moved from Cork to set up a bookbinding & stationary company.
He expanded the business into a successful printers Harvey & Co.
During the Famine he set up a soup kitchen at his house on John's Hill to feed those queueing to enter the nearby workhouse.
In 1853 his son Thomas Newenham Harvey (1837 - 1901), educated at Newtown School, joined the business.
4
Harvey & Sons
No 12 Gladstone Street
In 1862, T.S. Harvey left the printers on the Quay, (see previous) to start a new business dealing as a stockbroker and estate agent.
Banking & a travel agency followed, as did the Waterford Penny Bank, where small savings of a penny and upwards could be made (the Savings bank see No 7 would only accept savings of 10 pence or more).
5
Waterford Chamber of Commerce
No 2 George's Street
Designed by famous architect John Roberts, build for William Morris
Bought by the Chamber of Commerce in 1813.
The Chamber had 24 Quaker Presidents in the first 50 years, including Courtenay, Davis, Grubb, Jacob, Malcomson, Penrose, Ridgeway, Strangman and White.
6
Quaker Meeting House
No 22 O'Connell Street, now Garter Lane Arts Centre
Built in 1791 following strong growth in Quaker numbers
Used until 1972 when sold to Waterford City Council as temporary courthouse, now arts centre.
Current Meeting House is in Newtown beside the Quaker Newtown Schools.
7
Savings Bank
No's 31/32 O'Connell Street, now Waterford Gallery of Art
Built in 1841 by Architect Quaker Thomas Jackson.
In 1852 Joshua William Strangman, bank trustee and Quaker businessman, offered a room in the bank to the Waterford School of Art. Newtown School held art exhibitions in the 1930's, leading to the formation of the Waterford Municipal Art Collection in 1939.
In 2019, Waterford City and County Council created a dedicated exhibition space in the Waterford Gallery of Art.
8
White Family Business
No 1 O'Connell Street
In 1775 Thomas White opened a sugar and general grocery business.
Son William developed the family business with hardware and ropemaking.
In 1819 William built the White dockyard and slipway at Ferrybank. His sons Albert and George inherited the business.
Albert worked the shipyard and built a large home nearby (later the Athenaeum Hotel).
George established George White and Sons, chemist, hardware and many other enterprises.
9
Tuskar Lodging House
No's 51 and 52 O'Connell Street, until recently Grubb & Co. Art Supplies
Albert Bell (see No 2; 1864 - 1912) leased No 51 and opened a poor men's hostel. He ran 4 of these Tuskar Lodging Houses (one for women) in the city, giving cheap meals and much-needed accommodation.
In 1923 there were 18,270 bed nights; in 1932, there were 21,043 (average of 50/57 per night).
By 1951 the project ceased, due to changing social conditions.
10
Jacob Family Home
No's 2 & 3 O'Connell Street, now a private residence.
Joseph (1737-1781) and Hannah-nee Strangman (1737-1787) Jacob lived here with their 14 children.
Three Jacob families, directly descended, were involved with successful Waterford businesses.
Jacob families contributed greatly to the city's development during the 18th and 19th centuries. Famous "Jacobs Cream Cracker" developed in 1880s, still a widely known product today.
11
Jacob & Co.
No 11 Bridge Street. This building was knocked and redeveloped.
Brothers William (1827 - 1902) and Robert (1831 - 1861) developed the parents' bakery near the busy port.
They "double-baked" their bread dough to make "ship's biscuit" - long lasting food at sea.
By 1850 they had opened another bakery and shop at 69 Merchant's Quay to sell fancy biscuits. Business prospered and expansion began.
In 1852 William moved to Dublin, setting up a biscuit factory in Peter's Row which became hugely successful and is now a household name.
12
Strangman's Brewery Mary Street
Now Waterford Distillery
In 1773 Thomas Strangman (1708 - 1787) moved from Mountmellick with his second wife Sarah. Father of 15 children, one of whom was William (1746 - 1818).
In 1792 William established Strangman's Brewery in Mary Street giving huge employment over the years.
In the mid 1840's, some Strangman family withdrew from the business, due to the Temperance Movement.
Joshua William Strangman (1796 - 1874), was a director of the Strangman Brewery.
13
Gatchell
No 31 The Quay, now Dooley's Hotel
A retail shop for the Waterford Glassworks, near the Anne Street factory.
Since 1817 the shop, started by Jonathan, was under the direction of the Gatchell family.
The show showcased the superior quality and huge range of Waterford glass to distinguished visitors and locals.
The glassworks included tumblers, lighting, vases and wine glasses.
14
Jacob & Sons
No 46 the Quay, now MC's Outdoor Store.
Thomas White Jacob (1802 - 1882) developed a successful iron foundry.
He diversified into plumbing, heating and construction.
He built many houses in Ballybricken, Newtown and Tramore.
Their work can still be seen in the railings around Waterford Court House.