13 Stricklandgate

Between 11 Stricklandgate and 15 Stricklandgate on the east side of Stricklandgate

Curwen, 1900

No. 13 to 19 But to return to the eastern side of the street we notice next door to No. 9, which was at one time a coffee house, a splendid row of lath and plaster houses, with molded overhanging projections. No. 13 (Farrer’s tea shop) alone retains the original quaint form of window ; the other shops being refronted in the year 1822.

I can only trace the history of the row back to the middle of last century, to a time when it was owned by William Herbert, a mercer. He died in February, 1766, and by his will bequeathed to his wife Agnes, during her natural life, all that burgage house, messuage or tenement, with a stable and back buildings, and also three shops and two cellars under the front of the said dwelling-house; and after her decease to his grandson, Fletcher Fleming. The widow died January, 1776, aged 84, and in the following month the property was sold by the said Fletcher Fleming.

After this time No. 19 was occupied by William Bordley, an ironmonger, who was succeeded by Thomas Miller in the same line of business. He was mayor in 1776 and in 1780, and to him is due the refronting of the northern end of the row. John Pearson came to Kendal in 1781, and took over Miller’s business, and in his turn became mayor in 18o9 and 1818. He died at the age of 80 in the year 1837, was succeeded by his son, Francis. Matthew Redhead followed, and removed the business next door to No. 21.