Shellfield Road

Shellfield Road Marshside written by Nadine Mofffatt

The name, Shellfield Road, comes from the large number of shells still to be found just below the surface, a reminder of when the sea and marsh covered the area.

It was the heart of Marshside up until the early twentieth century. Farms, boat building and all the trappings that go with those occupations were located here. The junction with Marshside Road became a focal point for the community.

Many men were fishermen, either in horse and cart or boats. Life was hard and dangerous.

Wives and families helped on the farms. Others boiled and shilled shrimps or salted fish.

A good number of the residents were also involved in hand loom weaving, later silk weaving.

John and I have ancestors who lived and worked in Shellfield Road, both in farming and shrimping.

The following pages contain a list my mother compiled of the residents of Shellfield Road as she remembered them before the First World War. She included nicknames, essential with so few surnames, and some of their occupations. The list highlights the shops and businesses flourishing at that time.

My mother claimed to know every family.

Number 5 Shellfield Road remained in our family from when it was built to replace Slender’s Brow in 1878 until my mother sold it in 1981.

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Starting at the Marshside Road end.

Lathom’s Post office

Post Office Cottage, Two sisters the misses Scott (horse muck Mary with a lovely pear tree in the garden.

1a My grandfather’s brother, uncle Tummy (Tommy) a very good tailor with a workshop at the side of the house.

1 My Grandfather’s sister, Aunt Martha a maiden lady whose white lace curtains nearly cracked the glass they were so starched and white. She had the only shamrock plant that I’d ever seen

3a My mother’s sister, Aunt Betty & Uncle Will with their seven children (Wright)

3 Edie Howard’s grandma

5a The Cadwell family

5 Mr & Mrs Wright ( Hutchie’s)

7a Mr & Mrs Wright (Shallow’s Dick)

7 The Marshall family

9 Mr & Mrs Houldsworth

11 Mr & Mrs W Houldsworth (shrimp potters)

13 Mr & Mrs J Hodge (builders) previously I believe a butchers shop

15 Mr & Mrs Comstive ( potted shrimps & fish paste)

17 Mr & Mrs Watkinson (shrimp potters) & Mr Sol Woodford

19a Mr & Mrs Sutton ( Miriam’s Johns)

19 Mr & Mrs Wright ( Margery’s Tom’s Bab’s )

21 Mr & Mrs Wignall

23a The Misses Johnson ( they took in a lot of washing ) ( Sawts Nellies)

23 Mr & Mrs Sumner (Miriam’s James

25 Mr & Mrs Ivers

27 Mr & Mrs Howard ( Dick a dyo)

29a Mr Wright ( Fully)

29 Mr & Mrs Johnson (Dick Tag’s Dick)

31a Mr & Mrs Johnson ( Knockums)

33 Mr & Mrs Johnson (Sawts Pee)

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